Turf Racing Jhb

I tell you owners should really stand together..this situation is not acceptable where people are trying to qualify horses for a R1.5m race and you cant because the programmer decides we dont need Turf races in Jhb for the last 2 weeks of September.

Why does the RA not support its members ond owners..this is also not acceptable!

As I have stated many times before, Oscar, imo we need the RA to address issues that metter for owners; issues like the racing program and the elimination rules. Also, imo, they should push for another racecourse in the north and make a plan to give us a second channel as an alternative to Tellytrack.

t's all good and well to add bonusses to specific maiden races, to creste 'extra' feature races, and to organise 'achiever' days; but first and foremost I believe tha RA should stand up for their members by addressing the issues affecting most of their members.

And if they do that, I will gladly fork out the membership subscription again.

boys your racing in gauteng is finito klaar finished..its been run by people who dont give a shit about racing and the main man is doing the same in the countrys furniture industry..monopoly monopoly..all these issues were brought up 2 years ago by cuckoo catsmug and others..vaal sandpit track with 1000metre run ins and goat inner tracks come on boys

Guys the numbers dont add up..
something else is wrong..
we have 5700 horses in training..

Jack Dash wrote in another thread..
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Therefore I was very surprised to see that looking back at figures over the past 20 years, that the number of horses in training at the highest point was in 1997 with 9250, while the last 2 seasons of 2007/8 has us at the lowest point of 5700.

To think that 4 horses out of every 10 has simply disappeared in 10 years is almost unbelievable.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


we race every day of the week..did we in 1997...

how did we do it in 1997 with almost double the horses..

Well in Gauteng we had almost double the number of courses....

Sure..but we are racing every day..with almost half the horses..

Pirates yes agreed fully 100% but we cant give up boet...the programming up here is a disgrace and someone needs to stand up and be counted.

Did get a call from Patrick Davis, to explain the cut back on turf races to get the track right for the big T racing season, and an upswing on the sand races during this period. If anyone has concerns, he is happy to take calls.

I have made calls to the posters to convey this info with contact numbers.

I am not prepared to say, if this will resolve matters, however I always try my best to get feedback on behalf of the ABC contributors.

Thanks Dave

I remember few years back...under correction...they used to have a whole day once a month at the vaal turf dedicated to maidens or a maidens race day. That was nice cause 9 maiden winners got through ranks in one day...

The Natal big season just passed but still there are 3 racemeetings this week, 2 sand meetings up in the highveld [with respect to Emerald cup], 2 in cape and one in Pe.

Fact is if you look at entries for Natal all races have few runners except the maidens and merit rated races up to say 75 - the rest are small and few runners.
Rather Gold Circle & Phumelela look at the problem and single out 2 racemeetings in a month with 9 races and split it into maiden races and merit rated races up to 75 and get the horses through the ranks and then unlucky owners regularly getting bad draws where 60 plus horses are nominated or where the "elimination" rule applies.

I'll be honest, after getting a few horendous draws or being eliminated and finally getting into a maiden and you're a small hopeful owner just to find you are bumping a Charles Laird or Mike de Kock superstar breaks all spirits but if these so-called regulating bodies make it more competitive us small time owners can also get a cheque frequently.

I miss the old days where racing during the week was for the tryers and the superstars or up and coming horses ran on weekends. Go back to those days - midweek - maidens and merit rated races up to 75 and maybe a small feature. Then i can also jump in my car and go racing with the hope of an interview.Saturdays or Sundays merit rated 75 and up and BIG features.

Point is - forget night racing - no way i go to turffies after dark - if Natal have 3 meetings in a week off season why one at turffies on weekend and one vaal sand in the week???? Why not one vaal turf and one vaal sand in the week???? it's absolute bull that everything is centered around turffontein. In retrospect we should have 4 meetings a week on the highveld. Vaal sand, Vaal turf, Turf inside, Turf standside...

Let's see...training fees R30k a month - small owner...nominations...no races for runners...2 sand meetings...no turf races...skip 2 weeks...hopeful...bad draw...skip 2 weeks...nominate...good draw...eliminations...skip 2 weeks...2 months pass ...R60k...trainer fees...still no race...Phumelela pockets...trainer gets paid...owner must work arse off to pay...

I'm not complaining...love horse racing...but the PHAT CATS must wake up and address the facts...if you carry on the breeders are gonna go down soon cause there ain't gonna be small owners to pay their purchases and then breeders are not going to produce cause there ain't gonna be a demand to buy...

Radetzky, unfotunately it seems that small owners like us are a dying breed, racing is becoming pretty much like life; the PHAT COCKERELS are ruling the roost - and the saying 'if you don't like it - get out' is becoming more relevant as time goes by.

Frodo...with you mate...all the way...that's life

But i think we agree...although the saying applies to us...we will rather get our frustration out on the forum and live to fight another day...

BUT WE WILL NEVER "GET OUT"...to passionate about the game...lol