VAAL SAND - THE TRUTH !

mr hawaii wrote: 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.

I think that is a brilliant idea.

Harris wrote:

mr hawaii wrote: 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.

I think that is a brilliant idea.

I agree - not sure why it has not been implemented - could be some logistical issues in terms of the starting stalls, winning post, etc?

They used to do this in the very beginning of sand racing so I'm sure it's possible.

Louis goosen has mentioned this on s.post website basically word for word as mr hawaai...they need to shut it down and fix it even if it takes 6 months but do it properly once and for all and race on the other 4 tracks available ....

pirates wrote: Louis goosen has mentioned this on s.post website basically word for word as mr hawaai...they need to shut it down and fix it even if it takes 6 months but do it properly once and for all and race on the other 4 tracks available ....

We(Louis, Craige Mayhew and a few other trainers etc) spoke about this yesterday afternoon and most were in favour - Concern was turnover dropping but I cannot ever see that being a problem - Turnover will however drop if meetings are abandoned half way through a sand day or punters stop punting the Sand because they are afraid the meeting will not conclude.
I'm not sure if the grass on the four other tracks will handle all the Racing as it's already getting very hard here but I'm no track expert. The ideal would be to limp through until Spring using dual surfaces and then try to fix the Sand permanently when grass racing takes preference.

all im saying is don't do what we did in natal where greyville had ample time when clairwood was open to be dug up and completely be relayed and fixed once and for all..fix it once and for all ...

pirates wrote: all im saying is don't do what we did in natal where greyville had ample time when clairwood was open to be dug up and completely be relayed and fixed once and for all..fix it once and for all ...

That I agree with that 100% - Either keep in going partially until another surface has been laid(If poly is happening at Turrfs) or wait until you can close it in summer then relay and or redesign completly. We need a consistent horse friendly surface of an all-weather nature

ULTIMATE TIGER (AUS) – fractured right front cannon bone. Humanely euthanased. Specimens taken for analysis. Stable Employee F Habib, acting on behalf of Trainer D Zaki, advised. (DW)