barryb Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 Come on, in a modern age we dont need 35 mins when 1 meeting is on. Move this industry into the 21st century and get it down to 25mins max. Its as boring as batshit sitting here waiting between races. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonkatime Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 3 hours ago, barryb said: Come on, in a modern age we dont need 35 mins when 1 meeting is on. Move this industry into the 21st century and get it down to 25mins max. Its as boring as batshit sitting here waiting between races. Totally agree, it’s a massive put off especially at a midweek meeting. Whats the reasoning for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 9 hours ago, barryb said: Come on, in a modern age we dont need 35 mins when 1 meeting is on. Move this industry into the 21st century and get it down to 25mins max. Its as boring as batshit sitting here waiting between races. Totally agree. Main reason I don't go to the races any more. 6 hours of my time for 30 minutes entertainment. It's a relic of bygone days when tracks were packed and it took that long for the queues at the tote windows to be served. Nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 100% agree with all comments. My local track is Ruakaka but, as Barry so eloquently puts it, it's as boring as batshit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 Agree also....as a spectator, a day at the races [ less so a country day, there's always something to see or do ] bores me shitless. A quick-fire six races after work on a nice summer's day could be fun - as the red hotters tried recently. However, one is not allowed to weigh out for a race other than the one immediately to come. Years ago, no problem. My training partner [ R.J.McCann ] was also a jockey, we would ready our runner several races ahead, and he would go off to fulfill his earlier obligations. Not now, the requirements for correct weight would seem to preclude this....when a race is over, the jocks weigh in, then go to arrange their gear for the next. Off to the scale to check, bugger, need more lead, how big's the horse? oh, better change the girth too.. back to check again, hand the saddle over, off I go to saddle up...no time to spare. The mind boggles if you have a team like Pitty does, with four of five in the one race. Harness, different; no weighing in or out to take the time, and the horses, who mostly all have their own gear, can stand harnessed ready and only need the cart put on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 You're the expert Freda, what is the minimum time between races that is manageable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 (edited) 17 minutes ago, Freda said: Agree also....as a spectator, a day at the races [ less so a country day, there's always something to see or do ] bores me shitless. A quick-fire six races after work on a nice summer's day could be fun - as the red hotters tried recently. However, one is not allowed to weigh out for a race other than the one immediately to come. Years ago, no problem. My training partner [ R.J.McCann ] was also a jockey, we would ready our runner several races ahead, and he would go off to fulfill his earlier obligations. Not now, the requirements for correct weight would seem to preclude this....when a race is over, the jocks weigh in, then go to arrange their gear for the next. Off to the scale to check, bugger, need more lead, how big's the horse? oh, better change the girth too.. back to check again, hand the saddle over, off I go to saddle up...no time to spare. The mind boggles if you have a team like Pitty does, with four of five in the one race. Harness, different; no weighing in or out to take the time, and the horses, who mostly all have their own gear, can stand harnessed ready and only need the cart put on. Hmmm... I tried to get the trainers association to push this 20 years ago based on my US experience. Said it was impossible. I note a larger meeting like Gulfstream is running 25 minutes apart this morning. The jockeys do have valets sorting their gear though. Edited January 24, 2020 by curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 21 minutes ago, Freda said: However, one is not allowed to weigh out for a race other than the one immediately to come. Is that a newish rule? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryb Posted January 24, 2020 Author Share Posted January 24, 2020 1 hour ago, pete said: 100% agree with all comments. My local track is Ruakaka but, as Barry so eloquently puts it, it's as boring as batshit. Ruakaka would be boring with 15 mins between races, the facilities are ALMOST as bad as Avondale. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 1 hour ago, curious said: Is that a newish rule? Well, "new" as per 40 years ago....lol...not sure when it changed. But, in a talk with an English racing friend, it would seem that the weight issue is the stopper. If a rider has weighed, say, two races ahead, and even visits the loo, the potential is there for a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 1 hour ago, curious said: Hmmm... I tried to get the trainers association to push this 20 years ago based on my US experience. Said it was impossible. I note a larger meeting like Gulfstream is running 25 minutes apart this morning. The jockeys do have valets sorting their gear though. Yes, that would certainly help matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 1 hour ago, Hesi said: You're the expert Freda, what is the minimum time between races that is manageable? No expert...but, with my small team, I reckon 25 would be do-able...but the weigh out and in issue would be the stopper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 The [seemingly ] interminable parading round ....and around... and around - before even entering the birdcage could be reduced or dispensed with, IMO...that would save heaps of time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 They probably had all the roadblocks imaginable put up by those resistant to change, when rugby sevens, league nines, netball fast five, T20 cricket and a few others I've probably missed, were proposed Racing has not changed it's format, or tried twists on it since...................?? An industry resistant to change, will eventually die, times move on, new things come up, who thought the DVD player would be so quickly superceded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 Absolutely. Obstacles wherever you look. Surely can't hurt to give it a go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 2 hours ago, Freda said: Well, "new" as per 40 years ago....lol...not sure when it changed. But, in a talk with an English racing friend, it would seem that the weight issue is the stopper. If a rider has weighed, say, two races ahead, and even visits the loo, the potential is there for a problem. I've numerous times had jockeys weigh out a race or two ahead where they didn't have rides in between (in the last 40 years too :)). What/ where is the rule? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 15 minutes ago, Freda said: Absolutely. Obstacles wherever you look. Surely can't hurt to give it a go? That would be NZTR or the clubs individually?.....bouncy castles won't cut it. If the times cannot be reduced for good technical reasons, then a real focus on inter-track. I haven't been to the races for many a long year(since they closed the infield at Ellerslie to picnics and the allowance for a mature adult couple to imbibe in a bottle of BYO wine), but to what extent now do clubs provide for inter-track betting and coverage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Freda said: Yes, that would certainly help matters. But they also have at least two sets of gear so they are generally weighed out for race two before Race one, that way it's only one weigh out betwen races. A bit of organisation and gear is all it takes. Edited January 24, 2020 by curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 (edited) 10 minutes ago, curious said: But they also have at least two sets of gear so they are generally weighed out for race two before Race one, that way it's only one weigh out betwen races. A bit of organisation and gear is all it takes. Yes, I was going to mention the extra gear. Would make things quite simple - except, as I mentioned before ( the Sam Collett situation comes to mind) if a visit to the bathroom is necessary, or a drink after a race earlier, the potential for weigh-in problems does present itself. I can just imagine the protests from some of the jocks....extra gear... Edited January 24, 2020 by Freda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globederby19 Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 8 hours ago, Freda said: Harness, different; no weighing in or out to take the time, and the horses, who mostly all have their own gear, can stand harnessed ready and only need the cart put on. Sounds like we might have a conversion here. Praise the Lord., Gypsy Freda. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 4 hours ago, Globederby19 said: Sounds like we might have a conversion here. Praise the Lord., Gypsy Freda. Haha, have many good friends who own or train harness horses, they seem an overall good bunch, and much less stuck up ( for lack of a better term ) than many of the galloping brigade. Often quick to help or offer constructive advice - unlike my code, sadly, where some will stand back and watch you make an arse of yourself withour offering assistance. Not all, of course, but there does seem a pervading attitude of entitlement. Ive always thought that a syndicate of young blokes- and girls- would find owning a standardbred more entertaining. Less cost, more opportunity to race, tracks uniform, and way better treated than their tb counterparts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globederby19 Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 26 minutes ago, Freda said: Haha, have many good friends who own or train harness horses, they seem an overall good bunch, and much less stuck up ( for lack of a better term ) than many of the galloping brigade. Often quick to help or offer constructive advice - unlike my code, sadly, where some will stand back and watch you make an arse of yourself withour offering assistance. Not all, of course, but there does seem a pervading attitude of entitlement. Ive always thought that a syndicate of young blokes- and girls- would find owning a standardbred more entertaining. Less cost, more opportunity to race, tracks uniform, and way better treated than their tb counterparts. As an owner myself of Harness horses I whole heartedly agree with that sentiment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryb Posted January 25, 2020 Author Share Posted January 25, 2020 42 minutes ago, Freda said: Ive always thought that a syndicate of young blokes- and girls- would find owning a standardbred more entertaining. Less cost, more opportunity to race, tracks uniform, and way better treated than their tb counterparts. & boring as hell, more enjoyment watching paint dry. If thats the benchmark Freda then racings history, dog racing is more exciting than harness. The trouble with harness is its full of undisclosed info, perception of shonkiness & its just so bloody boring. Anything behind the first 3 at the 1000 mark has zero hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigos1 Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 Sorry Barry I disagree, I have shares in gallopers trained in Riccarton and until yesterday a share in a harness horse trained in Winton. Harness fees are much less and you can afford twice the percentage. Some fees with Thoroughbreds re Trials are absurd. Don''t get me wrong , Thoroughbreds will always be my favourites....but you can have a lot of fun racing Harness horses for seriously 50% less of the cost. Cheers, Craig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryb Posted January 25, 2020 Author Share Posted January 25, 2020 Nice and good for you Craig, shame they are not real horses. Take a group of newbies to Harness and then take the same group to gallops and you get your answer. Harness is tedious boring and the form info is terrible, it’s unpuntable without the crooked inside info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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