Sectional Timing – A Clock Up

From SP

Sectional Timing – A Clock Up
Public relations disaster continues at Fairview

It’s high time that Phumelela, the Racing Association and the National Horseracing Authority come out of the closet and inform the racing public what the sectional timing status quo is in the various racing jurisdictions.


After years of rumours and internet gossip that sectional timing is on the table, the word is out that the archaic piece of equipment that resembles a 1970’s laptop and that is required to be carried by our racehorses has been rejected as outdated cumbersome technology by some Cape trainers. Our racing authorities have gone very quiet – after years of empty promises. But what’s new?

The comedy of errors that has become yet another public relations circus for our racing fathers hit new levels at Fairview on Monday.

The official stipes report states:

The sectional timing device became dislodged from the saddle of MIRACLE BUREAU (C Murray) in the running.

The sectional timing device became dislodged from the saddle of JAMAICA’S BOY (K Steyn) passing the 700 metre mark.

The sectional timing devices became dislodged from the saddles of GRAPE VINE (T Gould), AREZZO (J P van der Merwe) and OLYMPIC POWER (X Ndlovu) respectively in the running.

Thereafter in consultation with the Jockeys, the Racing Association and Phumelela representatives, the Stipendiary Board made a decision to terminate the use of the sectional timing devices for the remainder of the meeting.


The digital generation, who are the sport of kings’ future, could well be the beneficiaries of the benefits of sectional timing – but can surely only see this strategic disaster as another reason not to get involved.

Where will one be able to obtain any form of Sectional Timing? This would be a great tool to do trip handicapping.

Isn't a more pertinent question 'How long has sectional timing been happening and who has the data?'

zsuzsanna04 wrote: Isn't a more pertinent question 'How long has sectional timing been happening and who has the data?'

I have to agree with you, your question is the better question, who has the unfair advantage?

At the risk of sounding simple...can't someone get on a plane, go to Singapore and Hong Kong, asked them who fitted their stuff, bring them here, pay them, they fit it....life moves on....holy shit...why is it so hard to do the basics in this country when it gets done so easily elsewhere ?

Rob Martin wrote: At the risk of sounding simple...can't someone get on a plane, go to Singapore and Hong Kong, asked them who fitted their stuff, bring them here, pay them, they fit it....life moves on....holy shit...why is it so hard to do the basics in this country when it gets done so easily elsewhere ?

Sure that’s what they done? KZN got sold a squib and not sure about Phum

Bob Brogan wrote:

Rob Martin wrote: At the risk of sounding simple...can't someone get on a plane, go to Singapore and Hong Kong, asked them who fitted their stuff, bring them here, pay them, they fit it....life moves on....holy shit...why is it so hard to do the basics in this country when it gets done so easily elsewhere ?

Sure that’s what they done? KZN got sold a squib and not sure about Phum

They sent Larry to France on ARC weekend , we are still waiting three or four years now.

Warren Laird wrote:

Bob Brogan wrote:

Rob Martin wrote: At the risk of sounding simple...can't someone get on a plane, go to Singapore and Hong Kong, asked them who fitted their stuff, bring them here, pay them, they fit it....life moves on....holy shit...why is it so hard to do the basics in this country when it gets done so easily elsewhere ?

Sure that’s what they done? KZN got sold a squib and not sure about Phum

They sent Larry to France on ARC weekend , we are still waiting three or four years now.

My question is simple - these devices have been in use for over a year now. Who exactly has access to the data?

Jurgs from what we know at the moment - LW and the RA

Interesting!! I was trying to help with the KZN sectional timing.All went quiet.It is such an important tool. Wish i could be of assistance.

Its nonsense that even the current ST results are not being made public even with some disclaimers about their accuracy if they still in test-mode
I can only imagine that the system is so unreliable or inaccurate that its too bad to publish.

Even if a real-time system is difficult and expensive, Im sure a video analysis program must be available for muti-sport use that can track a horse/player etc. With some decent track markers, an added camera angle or 2, a decent pace analysis and sectional split should be easy and pretty non expensive.

More advanced systems analysing distance traveled, stride frequency, heart rate etc etc are all possible using on board trackers, and may be complex /expensive . We are not asking for all of that(yet). But the basics are not that hard.

Surely the countries that co-mingle with us - HK Singapore etc would want a product and formline similar to their own so is it out of the realm of reality to think that they would broker a deal with their suppliers on our behalf? Just like the proposed all-weather at Turffontein sectional timing seems to be an also ran...