barryb 2,062 Report post Posted July 2, 2017 What a great days racing at Hastings yesterday, I braved the freezing wind to be down by the stand double & its an amazing spectacle to witness at such a close viewing spot. Berri made some great points on the other thread about a Jumps/Highweight/Amateur only couple of months, June & July are logical months & with some heavy promotion they could work and add another dimension to our racing here. Firstly though NZ Racing needs to start taking Jumps racing seriously & invest in improving the look of the Steeple fences in particular. Yesterday they were 30+ yr old structures that required bucket loads of guys to move around, they just look ugly, impractical & in desperate need of a facelift. PS: The stall at the back of the stand cooking the fried bread is a must try. THE TORCH, Belinda, shaneMcAlister and 1 other 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBigStuff 387 Report post Posted July 2, 2017 Like these would look great http://www.eliteequineproducts.com.au/products/easyfix-hurdles-fences Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skelly 53 Report post Posted July 2, 2017 In an ideal world, all steeplechase fences would look like the big one at the top of the straight at Wingatui. Great looking fence. But yeah, a sprucing up of the portable fences needs to happen. Does each course have its own set of jumps? Or do they move about between the courses? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryb 2,062 Report post Posted July 2, 2017 52 minutes ago, MrBigStuff said: Like these would look great http://www.eliteequineproducts.com.au/products/easyfix-hurdles-fences Yes, dont they look brilliant. Belinda 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diver Dan 187 Report post Posted July 2, 2017 Not convinced about this idea unless the quality of horse vastly improves. Saturday a 50k Steeplechase should have run for 20k One of the worst fields ever for this race and they have had some shockers…it should have that Premier Jumping Race status revoked…..two runners are rising 13yo’s…one runner is a rising 11yo….one runner is a rising 10yo….the rest are rising 9yo’s….my goodness…..three of the 7 runners are one-win steeplechasers ffs…..The Fox is a rising 13yo and last won a race in September of 2012…..5 years ago ffs……it should not get any special funding due to being a Premier jumps race…end it now…..what about dem apples eh Butch Castles (is he eating them all?) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berri 2,131 Report post Posted July 2, 2017 It's all about structure and process. Jumping in this country is almost done as a poor man's sport ...and after thought, but eventing (with no funds) is a rice man's sport....same with polo. If we are to promote this and make it a positive thing for the industry, its people and the horses themselves, well it could be great.......let's not play at it. It simply needs structure and guidance. By doing so we can increase the viability of the industry by adding an additional outlet. Remember, most horses aren't physiologically at their best until they hit 2600m Check this out http://www.britishhorseracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/May-Data-Pack-2017.pdf Belinda 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berri 2,131 Report post Posted July 2, 2017 sorry about the spelling...its not "rice man's sport"................ its meant to be "rich man's sport" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baz (NZ) 1,719 Report post Posted July 3, 2017 I also ventured down to the Bay to brave the elements...mainly alcohol. Anyway...as stated it was a good day jumps racing. Agree BarryB re: shoddy steeples. Heard a few comments about how ragged they looked...even a rider on the day made comment. Can't beat a live fence...looking forward to seeing them at Te Aroha this Sunday 9th July. However Hastings had many highlights for me..... 1. Caley Myers - What a ride in the Amateur riders race! 2. How good did Kim Clapperton look on her horse...shes still got it! Turn professional again girl! 3. Wait A Sec was very good in the Open HCP. 4. Brat Pak jumping the outside fence and heading to Pak N Save! 5. Kirsty Lawrence doing fantastic work with her camera catching all the action on raceday. 6. Atomosphere was great! puha, THE TORCH, pogo(aus) and 4 others 7 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baz (NZ) 1,719 Report post Posted July 5, 2017 Te Aroha on Sunday looking a little wet and heavy!... Ted? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdytdy 5,335 Report post Posted July 5, 2017 2 hours ago, Baz (NZ) said: Te Aroha on Sunday looking a little wet and heavy!... Ted? It will be a heavy 11 Baz, same as last year. Good fields for Sunday. Look forward to seeing you there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryb 2,062 Report post Posted July 27, 2017 Oh Dear. Just looked at the pools for the jumps races today from Wanganui, its not economically sustainable at those levels. I am loving the jumps season this year as a spectacle, but at $10k in the win pool for a couple of those races today its future is looking grim. Whats the issue with people betting on them? I just can't understand why not as they represent great value with plenty of uninformed betting in them. How good was it to see The Fox winning again. We're Doomed 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdytdy 5,335 Report post Posted July 27, 2017 9 hours ago, barryb said: How good was it to see The Fox winning again. Been a long time between drinks, 5 years and 26 starts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berri 2,131 Report post Posted July 31, 2017 It's never going to work unless you structure it correctly. Part of this is funding and if we are to create a vibrant entertaining industry, we need to piece the two of these together correctly. The half hearted politico massage of late has shown that the people in charge don't understand the concept of the pattern of races. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryb 2,062 Report post Posted August 26, 2017 What a super race at Ellerslie, the hurdle ranks this year certainly has some serious depth to it. Time it was taken seriously and some decent money put up. Scotch Thistle and Belinda 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryb 2,062 Report post Posted September 3, 2017 What a finish to the Open Hurdle, 5 of them in a line at the last, amazing sight. Shame that was marred somewhat by the senseless fall of a horse tailed right off who was forced to jump the last (right into it rather than jump it), thankfully it looks like horse (Top Choice) & rider were ok. Time a very clear and strictly enforced directive was made that a horse out of contention should be eased down and bypass the remaining fences. Those like myself who enjoy jumps racing don't want to see senseless falls like that when nothing is at stake, if jumps is going to survive it does need to remove acts like that. Pam Robson and Brown Fox 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneMcAlister 1,420 Report post Posted September 3, 2017 Very enjoyable race. I am on course to watch these today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berri 2,131 Report post Posted September 3, 2017 Structured correctly we would have a sensational championship that would be very appealing to the people who bet on sports barryb and mckenzie 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryb 2,062 Report post Posted September 3, 2017 Interesting to watch the Steeples today and witness the behaviour of the 2 riderless runners. Watch how Brok Bak and Mr Kanton catch up to field and lob along amongst them going over the jumps still, then Brok Bak takes off and leads & Mr Kanton decides to charge off after him and both lead the field by 3 lengths still completing the jumps. Both of them hug the rail turning and miss the jumps in the straight, after the race you can see a shot of the 2 of them just getting pulled up before they are about to head over the first fence out the back. Mr Kanton was having a field day without out a rider going over those jumps. Belinda 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...