NEXT TURF MEETING IN KZN?

Is the next turf meeting in KZN only the 29th of March?

I think that is the next full turf meeting as Scottsville being treated and getting into shape for the season. There are half and half meetings at Greyville before that.

Craig i`m hearing the Jocks and trainers are hating the poly these days, riding more like a sand track they say..?

The greyville Polytrack is being affected by the Humidity and salt air.

The Poly is starting to rust

Bob, i have already discussed with my trainer to move horses to another province where they can race on turf.

There will be no listening until the owners in KZN do something and that is move their horses from this mickey mouse poly racing. Granted there are trainers & owners that like it & some horses but to go so long without proper turf meetings is a joke. Take note of our two year old's this year when they compete in the main races season.... we do not have Clairwood and we have limited turf racing, our two year old's will not have had sufficient time on turf by the time the main season rolls in and it will show.

More of our top horses are racing in JHB this year because there is just no turf racing for them.

T 100%, you know my feelings about the poly. Try having a horse in Natal with a MR of 90+ and find a race for him over the right distance. (months if you lucky) Im also scratching my head and seem to be at a turning point.

Bob, I think some trainers are being extremely unfair on the poly. Some horses are being raced on the poly without ever having been on it in their lives. Suddenly they must gallop flat out on this new surface! If they don't run up to expectations it is suddenly the poly's fault and will not take them back again!!! :S I think it was MDK that said that the horses must get used to it. Surely he should know. In the past all horses had worked on sand and the grass before they raced and many have not tried this new surface before they run. I haven't heard anything from the PE guys but they work on it before racing I am sure. Yes some might hate it just as some prefer it. Most of mine don't mind it and as they asked in a survey sent around to trainers the other day, " Would or have you run your best horse on the Poly?" A resounding YES from me. Fly pulls up better off the poly than on the grass and not many horses have had more problems than him. My owners including my biggest two owners are very happy to race their horses on the Poly.

Neigh, what kills me is that GC will listen to the trainers and owners and then do NOTHING.

I believe that Poly racing has a place, don't get me wrong, but for horses 4yr's plus with ratings up to 78...... go for it. But to so long without turf meetings during summer in KZN is a joke, not to mention horses rated higher than 90 there is sweet fanny adams.

There are 16 races on the turf in March before we go back to Scottsville and 8 cater for your higher merit rated horses.

Craig, we have been through this ad infinitum, the pro's and con's of the poly and not one person denies its place in racing, however at the cost of turf racing I have a huge problem with that. Planning is up to shit ! Me, as an owner, would like the choice and if GC cant give it to me I will move. Simple ! As much as I love my racing in Natal my horses come first and would want to afford them every opportunity to live out their potential. There is f....all scope on the poly except for average horses and if my animal is average then the poly is fine.

Craig out of those eight races how many are for colts/geldings and over 1600m ? In fact from Jan to end of March how many turf races adhere to this criteria ? Lets not even be childish and go back to the begining of Aug 14.

Sorry, I will have to check later. On my way to do a podcast for the SA racing app. A first for me.