Chief Stipe Posted May 11, 2023 Share Posted May 11, 2023 Matamata Races Today Abandoned MEETING NEWS Matamata Races Today Abandoned After further rain in the last 24 hours the decision has been made to abandon the Matamata races today. Senior riders galloped horses at 6am this morning and after consultation with club officials and stewards, there were concerns about completing the days racing safely due to the particularly heavy nature of the track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted May 11, 2023 Author Share Posted May 11, 2023 You can't abandon if you didn't start. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted May 11, 2023 Author Share Posted May 11, 2023 TAB still taking bets on Matamata. Obviously no one at work until 9am. Good opportunity to risk free launder some cash. You know the odds get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 All those starting are lucky it's a northern meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 As Matamata is racing with the same fields on another day, has the meeting not been postponed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted May 12, 2023 Author Share Posted May 12, 2023 50 minutes ago, Special Agent said: As Matamata is racing with the same fields on another day, has the meeting not been postponed? Technically correct but still not abandoned but I'm just being pedantic. The track must dry quickly to be ready for Sunday. However the meeting wasn't postponed because it was dangerous but because it was too heavy. Since when has that been a reason? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 20 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: However the meeting wasn't postponed because it was dangerous but because it was too heavy. Since when has that been a reason? Since everyone became soft. Maybe NZTR are trying to dispel the wet track breeds by cancelling all heavy tracks they would excel on, and using synthetic tracks their bodies are not designed for. Wanganui abandonment excuse was a good one too. The ambulance and vet vehicles could not follow the field. Has this ever happened at Wanganui (or anywhere) in the many years of winter racing there? Heard of ambulance tracks? Heard of four wheel drive vehicles? Heard of tractors? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Green Posted May 13, 2023 Share Posted May 13, 2023 c'mon Matamata made the right call. They do it in Australia all the time. When a track is extremely heavy racing on it does alot of damage and at this time of the year the tracks don't recover. Race on Matamata Friday and you don't see it again for 3-4 months. Postponing til sunday,its still going to be a heavy 10 but the track won't be slaughtered and unraceable,was the correct/smart decision. At Flemington in Victoria the grass galloping tracks get closed when it's to heavy so they don't get destroyed. Well done to Matamata for a sensible decision. We always bang on about how unprofessional Nz Racing is but abandonments happen just as frequently in Aus and regularly for tracks being to heavy. Follow Victorian racing over winter and you'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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