louisg wrote: In principle, Craig is 100 percent correct, where ability is concerned. However, I am not convinced re same vets, same feeds etc. My string and my last 20 or so runners refer.
Right now my string is dead, first horses beaten in a race. We had the virus and then the 6 weeks of rain. During the rain, I chose NOT to risk soundness on what I perceived to be unsafe training tracks. The result would be a sound but unfit horse. Rather that than an unsound but fit horse, imho. The results would be same but costs would be very different. Now, as we get over the rain, another batch of virus has hit us.This is very aggravating and soul destroying, as it is out of our control, especially as we are a relatively small yard and don't have extra numbers as reserves.
Overall, the skill of the modern Trainer is to find the quality horse, then Train it properly, to go through the divisions or towards the Features. To me, the KZN boys have upped their game and are doing a much better job than in years gone by. However, it is still early days in the Season of Champions.
But, Yes, in order to take on the Cape Boys in the Features, you need quality to start with and yes, you need buying power for that.
Well that's my point.
Natal have as a whole,not been competitive against other provinces for quite some time.A lot of the major buying buyer has been centred outside of Natal.
Whilst being a trainer may be many things,you can't buy the horse if you don't have the right owners.That's my point to Craig.That,of all jobs,is the trainers primary job.Is it not?
Nobody says Natal trainers can't train.The training facilities at Summerveld are world class,so it can only be that the horses trained in Natal haven't been as fast(have as much ability) as horses from other centres.
Maybe today is a sign things are changing.
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