Vaal sand track - who will carry the can?

Louisg the same is happening with us at flamingo park the track manager here are under strict instructions not to listen to any trainers advise.the track has deteriated to such an xtend that where 6 years ago we could race after 140 mils of rain that now 20 are enough to stop racing

And what now? the times yesterday proved that with work the surface is far better!!!

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS.........Sucks.....it's everywhere in this world that we live in........

I just can't understand why people are scared to say what they feel,they are obviously scared of these criminals in this industry,I had the CEO ph me last year and tell me he will come a fuck me up,if I don't stop saying thing on ABC, I say fuck him again,i pay his salary as well when I go deposit money to play or money that they can swindle. How are these guys why are trainers and owners scared to voice what they want or need,come on guy have the balls to stand up to what you believe in.what can they do nothing to you,you as members but them there and should be able to take them out of there as well.

One more thing we're in the world would you find a CEO look for my cell number to call me and threaten a fool that talks his mind on a forum,how desprite is he to do that. If there is nothing to hide then why read the forum to see what's been side about you,only if there is something to hide will look and see. There a old saying were there is lots of money there's a crime behind it. Ne

Bob Brogan wrote: And what now? the times yesterday proved that with work the surface is far better!!!

The problem is the time and expense required to do that ..................remember how much was spent on extra machines.I don't have figures but listening to the different issues it certainly sounds that the sand track is by far the most expensive to maintain ,and what for?
1)A future for bad horses! ..........2)the going in adverse weather is worse than turf..........3)horses win in a manner which makes MR assessments a complete guess etc etc
Those that have expressed unhappiness about the closure have not put forward one FINANCIAL motive for retaining it ................I'm guessing that may be because there aren't any perhaps?
Perhaps ,if they had utilised a USA type track design it would have all been different ...........their tracks are all weather ..................why on earth would we use an alternate surface that is more sensitive to weather conditions than turf?
It would seem that the cock-up was in the installation, making eventual closure inevitable?..............maybe the criticism should be at the people who planned,and installed it ,not those who had to contend with the result.

Five tractors were busy after each race on Saturday. The water tanker in the background also did work. My opinion as a layman is that this is really expensive maintenance.

Earlier this year while in Dudai I witnessed them preparing the tracks for Super Sat and WC night. It was a 24/7 program with 4x water trucks and 3x rollers/machines used to prepare the sand/dirt surface. The grass on the other hand was just watered twice daily and cut say twice a week. This speaks volumes to me about the costs involved in maintaining the sand/dirt surface (include the cost of the huge machinery needed) compared to grass. The initial outlay for grass I would presume is more expensive but the maintainance would be far cheaper. That being said, I wonder how the closure of the Vaal would affect the breeders, owners and trainers ? Is there going to be a mass migration of horses to Natal/PE for the poly ?
The Vaal for me has always been a shit-hole but it does serve a huge purpose in racing and a solution needs to be found.

What is it about the racing authorities that people are frighten to take them on. I would like one prick to threaten me and he will see his arse very quick.

tottenham wrote: What is it about the racing authorities that people are frighten to take them on. I would like one prick to threaten me and he will see his arse very quick.

If anybody was going to be threatened by "P" ,why not me .............I have been very critical of their management!

(Ironical , I guess , that I support their decision on the Vaal sand .......polytrack makes a lot more sense to me as an alternate surface!)

rob faux wrote:

tottenham wrote: What is it about the racing authorities that people are frighten to take them on. I would like one prick to threaten me and he will see his arse very quick.

If anybody was going to be threatened by "P" ,why not me .............I have been very critical of their management!

(Ironical , I guess , that I support their decision on the Vaal sand .......polytrack makes a lot more sense to me as an alternate surface!)

Just out of interest Rob, would the Vaal sand track be your least, or one of your least, profitable tracks?

What I liked about the Vaal Sand racing was that there was always pace in a race from the jump and that horses seldom bunched or finished in a blanket like one sees more often now on the poly.

Also from a spectator point of view the poly racing is just too helter skelter to be appreciated as good enjoyable racing.

Rather bring on the dogs, I am already a fan of the trots.