and the worst track in the world is....

Mr H, of course the horse comes first, so they need to get the track right again - imo the track needs constant maintenance, and the Poly is not going to be different in terms of that - having 3 different surfaces would be ideal

shrek Wrote:

---

> Wasn't the Sand track put in so we wouldn't lose
> any racing. If they couldn't run at Turffontein of
> the Vaal turf because of rain it could be moved to
> the sand? Takes less rain now to have the meeting
> abandoned on the Sand than Turf. :S

I think you right Shrek...

To those hard of reading, Piere was asked what he thought was the worst track in SA.... and he answered that question. He was definitely not confused as to when he was riding on turf or sand.

The Vaal Sand is not good. We all agree. By not good, I refer to the loose going which causes slippage to some horses at the start and severe kickback. Coupled with this, the straight is too long, which creates a false run race, in terms of the fast pace, or apparent one paced nature of races,more often than not. However, overall, not every horse slips and many deal with the kickback without hesitation. As for the apparent false run races, there are many horses that love that type of race and who do well from it.

Gavin and Piere are not wrong. I believe that they are frustrated, because they have been talking about the same thing for long, with very little progress taking place. I understand their frustration.

However, I have been enthusiastically involved with the sand surface prep for a while now. I have also criticised the prep of the surface repeatedly. But I have seen the team making a huge effort over the last few months and have also witnessed Phumelela spare no expense in trying to improve the surface. They purchased additional trackpackers, additional tractors and made various mods to machines.

The problem in Winter is that the course is water intensive, in that water is the binding agent or catalyst and with no rain, the task is really difficult, when it comes to putting water down.

The first race is always firm and good and with each race it becomes more loose, as the divots have to be closed, which is done by fluffing and rolling. Before the first race, there has been no fluffing and maximum compaction is achieved through many circuits of the course by the track packer. As the day progresses, the continued fluffing betwen races steadily loosens the sand, as there is only time for one circuit of the track packers between races.

Even with the new track packers running side by side and covering the width of the surface, the problem is still present, even though it has improved over the last 2 sand meetings. They will now try running 2 sets of track packers/conditioners for the next meeting. This involves the use of 6 tractors at a time instead of 3 tractors. I expect some more improvement.

Ultimately, we are all correct when we agree that the Vaal Sand is not the best surface around. However, I believe that it is very encouraging that the team and staff, with the backing of Phumelela management, are trying their utmost to find a solution. They obviously respect our and the jockeys opinions. They promised that they are doing everything they can, at Industry Liaison Committee and I am here witnessing these efforts. They have a tough one to deal with, but they are trying very hard, sparing no expense. And thats all we can ask for, surely?

We must never forget though, how rock hard the Gauteng surfaces are and how horse friendly the sand really is in Winter. If my observations were correct, 5 horses broke down or were pulled up, out of the race last week on turf.... This sand track very often offers a lifeline to certain horses and also offers stakes opportunities to horses that wont handle the firm turf in Winter.

Thanks LG - encouraging news (tu)

The sand track/s have been a problem from the outset(and as Shrek says ,never achieved the original goals as claimed)
This problem has surely continued for far too long now?
Is it not time to seriously reconsider throwing good money after bad and just accept the mistake and make some zero based decisions!

Lets face it ,the problems have been "solved" a number of times..................only to find later that they haven't!

a very inconsistent surface, you don't know which horse will run well there. I'd be happy to see it gone.

rob faux Wrote:

---

> The sand track/s have been a problem from the
> outset(and as Shrek says ,never achieved the
> original goals as claimed)
> This problem has surely continued for far too long
> now?
> Is it not time to seriously reconsider throwing
> good money after bad and just accept the mistake
> and make some zero based decisions!
>
> Lets face it ,the problems have been "solved" a
> number of times..................only to find
> later that they haven't!


For me, in an ideal world, in Gauteng in winter you would like to have an alternative surface to race on, as the turf gets rock hard - I think we can all agree on that - at best the turf tracks need to close down from beginning of June thru September. Immediately the problem of what to do with the 90% of horses that do no campaign in KZN, comes up. So we are waiting (couple of years now) for some sort of artificial surface - who knows when it will be in place - if ever. And even if we eventually do get it, I would be very surprised if it would not come with it's own set of maintenance problems.

We already have the sand track, yes it has had (and seems it will always have) it's problems, but it's better than nothing ? The sand track was created partly as an alternative venue for when one is not able to race on the turf because of wet / unsafe tracks - so it did not turn out that way. But the main reason for the sand track from the start should have been to have an alternative surface to race in the winter - and that still holds true.

So IMO, accept that any alternative surface is going to have it's problems and make the effort (ongoing as per LG) to get the sand track 'right' - or start from scratch somewhere else (cost?) - but we definitely need an alternative surface in the winter months

Should of built a ''recreational centre'' in an area like Midrand years ago with a racetrack, shops, bars and clubs, full 24/7 entertainment etc ... give it that modern atmosphere that would of appealed to the ''younger generation'' maybe.. Yes may of cost a lot but hell havn't they wasted enough money the last 15 years anyway...

Do we really need all the infrastructure to cater for crowds ........there aren't any!!!!! and,other than on party days, they are not likely to return.............and those infrequent parties may as well be held at places like the Sandton convention centres and/or Gallagher estate and linked to the course by huge screen TV's.....................none of those party people see or smell the horses,even if they are at the course anyway!- they watch it on a screen, if at all!
It would leave more for investment in the racing surface and less for unused unnecessary areas.
For most race days do we really need more than a jockey room ,officials area, owners and trainers restuarant for trainers, their owners and a few guests and a pub/restaurant for the few diehards
Racing needs better management of expenses as a first step to profit.

rob faux Wrote:

---

> Do we really need all the infrastructure to cater
> for crowds ........there aren't any!!!!! and,other
> than on party days, they are not likely to
> return.............and those infrequent parties
> may as well be held at places like the Sandton
> convention centres and/or Gallagher estate and
> linked to the course by huge screen
> TV's.....................none of those party
> people see or smell the horses,even if they are at
> the course anyway!- they watch it on a screen, if
> at all!
> It would leave more for investment in the racing
> surface and less for unused unnecessary areas.
> For most race days do we really need more than a
> jockey room ,officials area, owners and trainers
> restuarant for trainers, their owners and a few
> guests and a pub/restaurant for the few diehards
> Racing needs better management of expenses as a
> first step to profit.


You mean reopen BLOEM...

Greg, we probably don't get bigger crowds on most days than Bloem used to get.....lol

Bloem was a jol. ... In the days when we could laugh and cry together, when racing was fun.... when even the chief official , after a hard days work, would have a quick one with us , albeit retaining his formality, all at the departures pub..... before leaving us to move to the back of the plane... And the air hostesses and the bar trolley.....And the "after jol"....