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Ratings could be the difference. I've seen few if any horses anywhere near near the top on any of the three synthetic tracks, even for prep runs - although Riccarton might be a bit different. One reason is handicapping. We've had a couple rated close to r100 after winning them on end on the synthetic and they end up getting 64kg in a open handicap. That's an not competitive in these sort of races, even against mediocre company. Another reason is the prizemoney on offer, with almost all synthetic meetings 'industry events', 30k stake is the norm for an open handicap. There are a couple of racedays when the stakes are a bit better and each of the three synthetic venues do run a 'champions race' , each over a different distance, each worth 100k. In these however it's the synthetic specialists who line up against each other, having qualified for the event through the synthetic season. Last but not least is that for the racegoer - yes a deminishing species - synthetic racing is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Noone in attendance except for industry workers, no atmosphere, simply a televised event to support the industry over the winter. That said, grass track racing over the winter is not what it used to be. On some tracks thete is your equivalent of the National Hunt often mixed with flat racing- and that on a lifeline- but the large fields of the past are long gone and it seems that fewer and fewer horses seem to handle wet tracks. There's a few iconic handicaps that still thrill but 7 horse fields with 2 or 3 genuine handicappers and /or a versatile hurdler with the remainder hacks is not what excites most. It is what it is. And for that reason the synthetic tracks offer some diversion.

I rest my relentless case

Fact of the matter is Pak it creates problem gambling . I am sure if they had a weekly slot with someone going to Sky City and blowing thousands of dollars everyone would be up in arms . This show is no different . I don't watch personally mainly for that reason .

Haha rent free baby...rent free.

Racebooks (or racecards as they are called up here) are NZ$ 7.50 at most meetings and up to NZ$10 -12 at the big meetings. "And for those watching in black and white, Davis is on the green" (or something like that...)

I have to be honest, I don't get the hostility to synthetic tracks. We have had them here for 35 years and they are an integral part of UK racing. They provide a lifeline for owners, trainers, jockeys and many others in winter when you can't race on grass and offer a viable alternative for the immature 2-y-o and 3-y-o to running on bottomless turf. Let's be honest - they are also supposedly a boon for bookmakers though I doubt the actual amounts bet justify that sentiment. I can't imagine there was much wagered on the evening synthetic meetings at Southwell and Newcastle this week compared to what was played at Cheltenham. They aren't just for lower grade horses - classic winners such as ENABLE and NOTABLE SPEECH have used them. They should be easy to manage and maintain - you never hear of complaints up here about Polytrack or Tapeta in terms of kickback or injuries. We do get small field races occasionally on the synthetic - they could put on a card of Class 6 handicaps and get maximum fields for every race but you can't have cards made up of one type of race.

Personally, have no use for any hard copy form guides and although bets are long on before I get oncourse I do like a racebook in the back pocket. That's mainly so I have the colours in hand though and recently I have found that clubs sometimes print those books in b&w which is about as much use as tits on a bull.

At Cheltenham this week, there was a lot of angst about the ground - despite nearly 10 inches of rain (250 mm in new money) in January and February, the Clerk finished up having to water because a couple of warm and sunny days and wonderful drainage meant the ground was drying too fast. In the end, he didn't put enough water on to satisfy Willie Mullins and J P McManus and FACT TO FILE was taken out of the Ryanair. The irony was 12 mm fell overnight into Friday and the ground on Gold Cup day was almost perfect. The dilemma is this - trainers like Mullins argue jump racing championship races should take place on proper Soft ground, not necessarily Heavy but it should have Soft somewhere in the description so Good to Soft would be okay. The Clerk can water or overwater to ensure that's the ground available but there are two aspects - first, what about those horses who genuinely want Good ground and second, if you water and then you get more rain than forecast or expected, the ground is too heavy and everyone moans? On the Flat, the line up here is Clerks water to prevent any jar in the ground - some tracks, such as Bath, run on downland turf which has been well managed for decades. It can be Firm but there's no jar but other venues have overwatered and not managed the turf so well while others such as clay tracks do suffer if there's a prolonged dry spell. That, as we know, causes other problems. The bias on heavy ground is the same up here - at Brighton, when it's slow, they all come to the stands side but other tracks it's the other way round. Willie Carson, at Ascot, famously rode right under the trees where the rain hadn't reached and won on BAHRI and thereare other such examples of what are called "golden highways" where the ground is often better.

Over here, we have the Racing Post every day but it's expensive (NZ$ 12). However, it covers both horse and dog racing in a detail you won't find anywhere else. The Post keeps going because it supplies copy to the betting shops and as long as the shops want the form to be displayed for the walk-in punter, the Post will continue. You can download very good information from Timeform and other sites if you want but I still prefer to have the Post (the old Sporting Life was better but much harder to read) and to spread out with coffee and breakfast on the way to the track (or at the track in the winter). I don't get the Post every day any more - I only buy it on Saturdays and for the big meetings. I used to study form every day but I've better things to do with my life (so Mrs Stodge advises).

Yes

The truth was essential for keeping abreast of big topics

Is that you Mrs Cole?

Whilst as a young fella I would spend my pocket money on Best Bets rather than treats, in my view Raceform is far superior so would not buy Best Bets.

Lets see how much she makes as Yappy Chief Snipe said her full sister was worth 2 Mill...and is not close to this mare on performance.

Its not the point he broke the rules and should be treated the same as anyone else who has been treated for the same offence previously.

The truth also had a few other interesting pictures as well.

Yeah they normally go in on the Thursday before the race, I’ve heard different things about this year, the commentators said LTF didn’t and somebody at the track said none of them did and others said they all did so can’t be sure what the actual facts were. Definitely used to make sure everything is above board. Personally think it’s a good idea

From my understandin Leggy, I think it's used for the bigger races as there's usually a bigger stake, and field usually consists of more than one big gun it's the organisers way of tryin to ensure nothin untoward happens with, or to any of the runners; nobblin, dopin etc etc....supposed to help ensure a level playin field for any feature race.... Cheers Iraklis

Do they have them to ensure integrity for all races? Why not? The same punters are investing the same money on the outcomes aren't they?

Two winners and two second placings???????? Like him or not, how many trainers got a better result?

,,, not connected ,,,,

There ?is /was? a glossy weekly form guide available in Auckland, with local and Aussie fields. Can't recall it name. Not cheap, around $12 I think. The tab outlets would order it in for regulars and the local tab at the mall had one on the counter but i haven'r been there for a year so don't know if it's still going. But at $12 a pop wouldn't be surprised if it went bust. I knew one fellow who regularly bought it and altough a retired accountant seems he wasn't digitally literate. But quite a big better I gather. That'd be the market, older folk connected but more than your $2ew punter. Who else would fork out $12? Like me you'd just print out the easy form pdf for selected meetings, one page double sided usually.

Thought TR was a breeder, is he another that has seen the future and decided that selling is better than breeding.

I hear that the Australian turnover figures for those 2 meetings was through the roof, hence overwatering will become a regular feature.

pakn, no one in here needs to explain anythin to you....we don't care bout you or anythin you have to say or wish to point out, duhhhh! now in the interests of maintainin consistency....GROW UP, MOVE ON! Iraklis