Stirring the Pot

A quiet Monday, so let me try and stir things up a bit.

Every one knows that the turf tracks in Gauteng are currently in a poor condition due to the lack of rain and being over used. I know of one relatively small stable that has more than 25 unraced 3 yr olds just waiting for a chance to make their debuts (but of course trainers and owners alike are hesitant to bring them out while track conditions remain poor). I can only guess as to the number of unraced 3 yr olds in the bigger stables. So in my view we desperately need an altenative racing surface and the option of turning the inside track at Turffontein into some kind of all-weather surface has been discussed in another thread on this forum. I say it is not an option.

We are already struggling to provide enough races on the 2 and a half turf tracks currently available; we can not afford to lose another turf track. Taking this argument further, would it then not be an option to have an all-weather surface at the proposed Randjiesfontein 'boutique' racecourse. We don't really need the lights (the Newmarket experience is forever gone, imo), so the argument of trafic congestion falls away - and I understand that it would be much cheaper getting an all-weather track than putting lights up.

Talking about SA race tracks, I have been told that Greyville is in such a bad state that they are putting some green paint on the sand around the turn in order to make it look like grass; perhaps Pirates or Grunberger can comment on this 'rumor'? The result of this is apparently that Clairwood (free) nominations are so over-subscribed (only the really desparate go for Scotsville) that the number horses waiting to get a run are piling up in KZN as well. As for Cape Town, well we all know that the weather is still not letting up, but at least their tracks (as far as I know) are in good condition, so as soon as spring finally arrives, prospects look good down there; there is also the much vaunted Racing City apparently being built; does anyone have a progress report on that venture?

On a related subject, the 'red' work track at Randjiesfontein is currently being 're-laid'; so trainers are also getting frustrated about getting enough work into their horses. It is then disappointing to hear that one trainer decided to put between 30 and 40 horses on the grass track on Friday morning (Tuesdays and Saturdays being the mormal days set aside for grass gallops). When the course manager was quesioned about this, he reportedly replied that said trainer did get permission to 'put 4 or 5 horses on the grass' on Friday morning; needless to say the grass is going to take a couple of weeks to recover from this selfish exercise.

What was the figure quoted for this all weather track ? Did we ever find out. ?

what was the consensus ? Big dad put us in the picture.... or R.A. what can you tell us ?

less than the lights but possibly the better option

Frodo very well put..I really think as we all pointed out a couple of months ago that racing is coming under serious pressure...one small part of the problem is the poor maintainance of the tracks ..let alone the training tracks.Well its showing in the share price now so lets see what happens over the next yr or so.

Lots of questions, but no answers?

Now that Manchester City are owned by the ruling family of Abu Dhabi the oil rich gulf state, its nice to know that everytime a Manchester United fan fills up his car with fuel, that money will be going toward the transfer kitty of City.

TEST

Frodo, I had a chat to our Greyville track manager Ralph Smout and went to have a look myself this morning as the turn is only about 150m from my office.

Ralph laughed at the rumour and said the practice of using a green dye for aesthetic purposes had stopped some 8 years ago. He said it should be borne in mind that most of the KZN winter racing happens in a time where growth of the grass slows and stops completely. He said one or two meetings in wet going means the track battles to rehabilitate and recover.
He pointed out that the track is spring treated religiously every year and that 250 000 kikuyu plugs are planted annually.
He invited any punter or conspiracy theorist to meet him on track at any time as he said, he had absolutely nothing to hide.
I hope this info helps.
Regards

Thanks for the feedback, Grunberger; I think the KZN owners will be delighted to hear the good news; also thanks to Ralph for setting the record straight and his open door policy.

I am certainly no 'conspiracy theorist'; just trying to clear up some things that I heard via the grapevine; now perhaps Mr Hawaii can get someone from the RA to enlighten us about the pro's and con's of having an all-weather track at Randjies, as well as the status of night racing (the grapevine tells me it won't happen)

Pleasure Frodo.
Ralph is a salt-of-the-earth straight shooter old-school type of guy.
He really meant that he would be willing to meet anybody who is concerned.
Good luck with your other concerns.
Cheers
L

i was under the impression that ralph had been moved to clairwood and alan who was at clairwood was now in charge at greyville,

That's correct Pirates.
I only referred the question to Ralph as he is more au fait with Greyville and only left his post a few weeks back. Greyville is still his baby!