JJ Flash 2,114 Report post Posted May 2, 2022 Begins this Thursday , be an interesting exercise to see which trainers support the meeting and whether it attracts punters dollars Saw on Love Racing site that nominations had been extended till Tuesday. Surely not a good look ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTH 12 Report post Posted May 2, 2022 Did you notice the times on trial day? Jury is out on the track, numbers low, then again they racing again on Saturday, plus some be looking for a wet track JJ Flash 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby3051 10,695 Report post Posted May 2, 2022 No not great support for the first meeting mind you not much planning either with a grass track meeting a few days later...but hey what's new these days. shaneMcAlister, We're Doomed, Baz (NZ) and 1 other 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby3051 10,695 Report post Posted May 2, 2022 I see they have abandoned Woodville as it may be a Good 2...why not just have Good 3 as the best rating so they never cancel a meeting...and how would you know there is certainly going to be no rain 6 days out...seems a strange call??? Baz (NZ) and fermoy 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baz (NZ) 1,719 Report post Posted May 2, 2022 1 hour ago, scooby3051 said: I see they have abandoned Woodville as it may be a Good 2...why not just have Good 3 as the best rating so they never cancel a meeting...and how would you know there is certainly going to be no rain 6 days out...seems a strange call??? Abandoned Steeplechase races at Te Rapa on Saturday as well being too firm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stodge 1,912 Report post Posted May 2, 2022 They routinely cancel jumps meetings up here if the ground is Firm and there is no prospect of irrigation, natural or otherwise. Taunton's meeting last week was lost for that reason. It's a problem if we get a dry spring or autumn. As for Riccarton's synthetic track (Strathayr presumably or is it Tapeta?) I assume it can be managed to produce whatever surface you want. As it seems so dry in NZ currently, perhaps it will be useful for those winter gallopers who don't want firm ground (I imagine the main purpose was the opposite but that's the point of synthetic tracks). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leggy 4,007 Report post Posted May 2, 2022 10 hours ago, stodge said: As for Riccarton's synthetic track (Strathayr presumably or is it Tapeta?) No it is polytrack and as far as I know has been performing well. shaneMcAlister 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue 1,082 Report post Posted May 3, 2022 Obviously in 1965 nobody was too concerned about the state of the track at Ellerslie on Northern Steeples day. NZ Herald June 7th 1965 only one scratching on the whole card. Honestly won the Hack mile in 1;41 and King of Luck won the 7 furlongs in 1:31 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby3051 10,695 Report post Posted May 3, 2022 I see the trainers have voted with their nominations...Saturday on the grass has big fields mostly..unlike Thursday on the artificial rubbish track....seems more white elephants. napier and TurnyTom 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjay 447 Report post Posted May 4, 2022 6 hours ago, scooby3051 said: I see the trainers have voted with their nominations...Saturday on the grass has big fields mostly..unlike Thursday on the artificial rubbish track....seems more white elephants. Big stake money difference the reason? We're Doomed 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leggy 4,007 Report post Posted May 4, 2022 40 minutes ago, arjay said: Big stake money difference the reason? I'd say that would have a bit to do with it along with trainer assessment of which horses might be suited by the surface or not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby3051 10,695 Report post Posted May 4, 2022 1 hour ago, Leggy said: I'd say that would have a bit to do with it along with trainer assessment of which horses might be suited by the surface or not. So if thats the case why do normal mid week meetings or Industry days get much bigger fields...I think you will see it won't be well supported...just my opinion FWIW. Insider, Baz (NZ) and napier 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cubes 1,770 Report post Posted May 4, 2022 Cossack Story good e/w in the last but how does one know whom will handle the syn track ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leggy 4,007 Report post Posted May 4, 2022 4 hours ago, Cubes said: Cossack Story good e/w in the last but how does one know whom will handle the syn track ? Gotta coin cubes? Heads they like it, tails they don't. That said, a number have trialled on it. That might provide some clues. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stodge 1,912 Report post Posted May 4, 2022 A lot will depend on how the track has been prepared. I've seen some Polytrack surfaces produce a lot of kickback but if it's properly harrowed there should be little or no kickback at all. Over here, Polytrack tends to be harrowed (I think) and inch and a half to produce what we call a Standard surface which would equate to Good/Good to Firm on grass but it can be harrowed deeper to replicate a slower surface, nearer Soft and this occurs in the winter to accommodate meetings for jumps horses but is also a response to very cold conditions. The surface obviously takes rain without any problem but it can run a bit quicker. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leggy 4,007 Report post Posted May 4, 2022 There will be significant kickback. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...