Winter stakes in Johannesburg going down

This is what is being proposed for next season

If it's really " off season " stakes that's effected I don't see the problem

As long as they restrict the maximum merit ratings of the reduced stakes races

If they want to run Mr 80 and above races for reduced stakes then it's worth a moan

Ps I'm sure they will still be racing for more than any other region and there is stakes increases coming for feature races etc

Imo SAF should only race 4 times a week like Ireland or reduce their meetings to 7 race cards

Hearing this has been canned , will try and answer properly later

To all those who believe there is much to be positive about, If this was even been considered it tells you everything you need to know about the local product......and about how much the "other products" are assisting local stakes!
I hope this was a misunderstanding.

Rob you would be surprised at who put this forward...

anyway i hear all the trainers apart from a couple signed a petition on masse and the RA have opposed it so it looks like it could be shelved

If it wasn't for the other products this would have been more than a rumour.

Anybody thinking that the local product is far from this should get a wake up call as the picture is not pretty and this could be a reality at some point.

To the best of my knowledge, this was a query from the Racing Manager to trainers to hear their opinion overall. The suggestion apparently came from two Trainers.
The Vaal have signed an unanimous petition opposed to reducing stakes and have called for an increase in stakes on another petition. Apparently, a meeting to discuss the matter will be called.

The Vaal Trainers believe that costs of keeping a horse are rising steadily whilst stakes are not, thus widening the gap. They believe that a decrease in Winter stakes will hurt the normal/small Owners. Many Trainers from other centres have joined the Vaal in terms of the petition.
At this stage, nothing has changed. Stakes remain as they are.

louisg wrote: To the best of my knowledge, this was a query from the Racing Manager to trainers to hear their opinion overall. The suggestion apparently came from two Trainers.
The Vaal have signed an unanimous petition opposed to reducing stakes and have called for an increase in stakes on another petition. Apparently, a meeting to discuss the matter will be called.

The Vaal Trainers believe that costs of keeping a horse are rising steadily whilst stakes are not, thus widening the gap. They believe that a decrease in Winter stakes will hurt the normal/small Owners. Many Trainers from other centres have joined the Vaal in terms of the petition.
At this stage, nothing has changed. Stakes remain as they are.

Louis surely the weaker Jocks will also be killed if this happens?

This topic was discussed amongst the boys at the rooms last night. The suggestion was apparently made by a Turffontein trainer :blink: :blink: :blink: :blink: Now I am not going to name this guy but if it is true then I am stunned. How in the hell can this benefit the owners in his yard who pay his salary? Then I realised, he has a lot of Jooste horses so I have no doubt he is just the messanger

I am also very surprised that this trainer would call for lower stakes. He gets 1 big owner and suddenly forgets about the other 98% of people in racing.

Over the Air wrote: This topic was discussed amongst the boys at the rooms last night. The suggestion was apparently made by a Turffontein trainer :blink: :blink: :blink: :blink: Now I am not going to name this guy but if it is true then I am stunned. How in the hell can this benefit the owners in his yard who pay his salary? Then I realised, he has a lot of Jooste horses so I have no doubt he is just the messanger

Not just him seemingly there was another trainer for this, but this trainer wins most of the graded races anyway

Guys, nothing has changed. A meeting will be called and I will post feedback.

As for Training for Markus Jooste - you guys who honestly think like this are so far off the mark, it is ridiculous. I train for Markus. I have NEVER been told what to do, what to say or not to say. NEVER !

Racing is under a lot of pressure. Whilst I am against Winter reduced stakes, I am thankful that there are guys out there, looking at solutions, talking, throwing ideas around. This is vital for our future.

There are many vital issues happening behind the scenes that same trainers are pushing, all for the good of Racing and the racehorse. They dont get paid to do this, they do it because they want Racing to succeed. Good stuff and thanks guys !