Pam Robson

Great idea.

Can't answer that, however open entry races were utilised at some Blenheim meetings, I thought it was a great idea, as it meant [ as alluded to above ] that no-one missed out on a run. However some trainers were against the practice so it was discontinued.

Good post, W.D. And Who Moi is quite right. As far as 'putting on another grass meeting Friday'....where, exactly? Rangiora and Motukarara are out of the loop, Geraldine no longer operating and Timaru ( which had its own issues a decade or more ago ) is now a great track but also on the not-wanted list. It's hanging tough but NZTR have had it on the 'close' list from the Saundry days. That leaves Riccarton ( both tracks) and Ashburton. That's it for Canterbury.

That is a seriously bad idea if there happened to be a frost like the last two days.

One young trainer is even considering heading to the CD to get a grass race. Good for her..but most don't have her resources. And as a business decision, unsustainable.

Wendy Cooper is always approachable and helpful...but generally, as far as policy goes, I'd have to say the S.I is seen as a liability. Love to be corrected on that opinion.

And as well, I think there was some involvement from the same quarter with the extra maiden on the poly next week. Again, good work. But the poly solution doesn't suit everyone, and the continuing lack of grass opportunities [ esp trials] locally is a real bone of contention. Trainers don't care? they care all right...but most have had the shit kicked out of them for so long I think they've just given up.

I think you will find that a trainer [ who chooses not to announce his/her input ] has been instrumental in achieving that change.

I think so.

Absolutely.. Have a good one, Dave!

Oops.

Rock and a hard place, I guess. Trials make money, so to turn them down is pretty counterproductive for a cash-strapped club.

Rock and a hard place, I guess. Trials make money, so to turn them down is pretty counterproductive for a cash-strapped club.

Thank you, RJR. Well thought out and makes absolute sense to me [ for what that's worth! ]

I can't pretend to have a great knowledge of Aus racing from personal experience....but it doesn't seem that they close down tracks willy- nilly just to suit some agenda. Someone may correct me but it does appear that they value and maintain their Provincial and Country tracks. Even the bush tracks get their day in the sun and often with huge local support. You're right that the variety of tracks here fornerly created a difference as well as sparing others from overuse.