VAAL SAND - THE TRUTH !

Bob Brogan wrote: But the thing is OTA that in the uk hardly anyone specifically goes to UK bookies to punt South African racing, they may have a few bets when they are in the shops putting their local bets on.Or when meetings are abandoned.If there was no local racing the totes would quickly empty of racing fans.

People have short memories - When the then Tvl had an outbreak of equine flu and racing was suspended here for months many punters stopped punting (my own father who had punted for years never really ever punted again)- They did not want to play in Natal and the break was long enough for them to lose the punting addiction. Local Racing must survive - We have the converse in Soccer where the fans follow loyally but bet on International Matches in preference to local. I will tell you now that if local Racing were to close I would not have a single bet on International Racing - I do enjoy watching it but I hardly play there anymore - International should complement local as the converse will never work -

This situation is very similar to what happened in the insurance industry when Old Mutual and Sanlam were demutualised and became listed public companies. Could it ever be good for policy holders when a large cut of profits now go to shareholders rather than into policy returns?

This industry balanced the fall out by allocating long time policy holders shares in a ratio to the value of their policies so that they could receive a benefit over and above future policy growth which was a very equitable arrangement.

Racing had a comparitive history with corporatisation providing the newly formed company a host of assets (and liabilities) for nothing in terms of a nominal R1 but with an implicit obligation to tend to racing and its future.

Nothing was given to stakeholders outside of an extension of their livelyhood and punters were given basically zero. Whether this is right or wrong doesn't really matter but the expectation is that the operator will fulfill its obligation to racing in the best possible manner.

If done correctly they will benefit and so will the industry and this has to be starting point for any discussion around local racing and its future.

I see Piere also has his say in Sporting Post.

I wish some of these trainers and Jockeys would speak out about all the bent races and graft being landed. Or the cruelty that's never mentioned ( even though Nhra fines are handed out )

LSU wrote: This situation is very similar to what happened in the insurance industry when Old Mutual and Sanlam were demutualised and became listed public companies. Could it ever be good for policy holders when a large cut of profits now go to shareholders rather than into policy returns?

This industry balanced the fall out by allocating long time policy holders shares in a ratio to the value of their policies so that they could receive a benefit over and above future policy growth which was a very equitable arrangement.

Racing had a comparitive history with corporatisation providing the newly formed company a host of assets (and liabilities) for nothing in terms of a nominal R1 but with an implicit obligation to tend to racing and its future.

Nothing was given to stakeholders outside of an extension of their livelyhood and punters were given basically zero. Whether this is right or wrong doesn't really matter but the expectation is that the operator will fulfill its obligation to racing in the best possible manner.

If done correctly they will benefit and so will the industry and this has to be starting point for any discussion around local racing and its future.

YES !! One of the best posts I have ever read on this site. I agree 100%.

its funny how lerena and strydom got off when their good rides were over.Howcome Geroudis carried on riding? was it the penalty kick he had in the last race or was the track rideable and him professional.

BATMAN wrote: its funny how lerena and strydom got off when their good rides were over.Howcome Geroudis carried on riding? was it the penalty kick he had in the last race or was the track rideable and him professional.

If their heart is not in it maybe the trainers should engage riders who`s hearts are in it...

I`m in no doubt that senior jocks are not just complaining about the state of the track because of safety concerns, but because Sand racing is hard work on the older riders, and they are part of the conspiracy to have the vaal sand closed in favour of a poly track..

Will Thursdays meeting go ahead?

Just had a message saying track doing well , no sign of any kick back on the horses so far

My suggestion is to have a few Turf/Sand meetings just as they do with the Poly at Greyville. Then the sand track can be maintained during the running of the turf races. A few Vaal trainers also thought that would help. I do not think turnover would be affected in any way but both the grass and Sand would benefit if both Tuesday and Thursday meetings were run in this format.

Looked plenty of kick back later in the meeting, still think some horses that have acted well on the sand are not running the same the last few meetings

Bob Brogan wrote: Looked plenty of kick back later in the meeting, still think some horses that have acted well on the sand are not running the same the last few meetings

That kickback could be reduced if you had more time to work on the Sand in between races from what I've be told. I know it is only a temporary measure but alternating surfaces could be a quick fix without serious financial implications.