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Interesting blog from Kevin Blake this week and it has received even more attention as a result of a twitter debate that he had with Ballinrobe Races today.
Apparently (as they claimed today) they do not have time in the day to write 140 characters to let punters know what the going is like ahead of a race day!
Action Needed On Below-Standard Ground Reports
This column has highlighted many times the shortcomings of racecourses with regard to the reporting of the ground conditions at their tracks.
It was emphasised that accurate and up-to-date reporting of both the ground conditions and local weather were extremely important not just for those who are contemplating having a bet, but also for trainers mulling over whether or not to run their horses.
There have been some commendable improvements in the last year, with many tracks increasing the frequency of their ground reports and the detail of their local weather forecast information, but the general standard is still not nearly as high as it needs to be and some tracks remain particularly poor in their reporting.
The main problem remains the same as it was last year, as while every track seems to have no problem getting a ground report in very early on the day of declarations - so that trainers and owners can decide whether or not to declare their horses - the day-of-the-race reporting remains extremely lax in many cases.
Such is the changeable and localised nature of the Irish weather, it is very common for the ground to change from declaration time to the off of the first race, sometimes notably, yet the reporting of the ground by the racecourses in between these times rarely reflects this truth. All too often we are left waiting until after noon on the day of racing to get an update and often much later than that in the case of evening racing, even in cases where changeable weather is forecast, and it would appear to be a case of the tracks not thinking that this information matters enough to get it out earlier.
As well as that, it appears that the Turf Club and racecourse officials have a policy of issuing no further updates if there has been no change in ground conditions since declaration time. This regularly leads to instances where, even if the rain has been hammering down outside your door, punters don’t know for sure if the ground or weather forecast for that day’s race meeting has changed until the SIS representative sends an update to the betting shops and media perhaps an hour before the first race.
The problem that this creates for punters is obvious, as anyone who takes betting remotely seriously cannot get involved with confidence if there is a significant doubt surrounding the state of the ground.
Considering that most betting markets are up and running by 10am and that many punters will seek to take morning prices, such a lack of up-to-date ground information results in substantial frustration for punters that are regularly faced with the conundrum of having to either place their bets based on guesstimates of what the ground will be based on a ground report that is over 24 hours old, or risk missing the best price in the morning markets by holding off until the ground is belatedly updated.
Sadly, many industry professionals will be rolling their eyes on reading the above, as there is an attitude of “who cares?” amongst many industry participants with regard to the betting public. This, despite the fact that €27 million of the €56 million that funded racing in Ireland last year was derived from betting tax on punters stakes alone. That percentage is only going to rise once the long-awaited tax on off-shore betting revenue is implemented.
Indeed, one would have thought that the racecourses would be one interest group that would have the punters in mind, given that they directly benefit from a fee of €6,000 for each individual race they run from SIS for the rights to broadcast the race footage into betting shops. No punters, no SIS money.
Yet, despite the extremely important role that the punter plays in the financing of individual racecourses, they seem to remain at the very bottom of the priority list when decisions are being made.
Last Tuesday afternoon I tweeted Ballinrobe Racecourse to ask for a ground update for their meeting that evening, given that there had been no official report since 8am the previous day. Ballinrobe replied that the ground hadn’t changed, and presumably this is why there had been no update.
Ballinrobe is regarded as one of our more forward-thinking tracks, but when I suggested to them that it would be a good idea to circulate an official ground update even if there hadn’t been a change (given that showers had been forecast) they replied: “Resources are limited in small tracks and we don’t have time to spend all day on Twitter. We will keep in mind to update any change in going in the future. #giveusabreak.”
Maybe they were under pressure as racetime approached, but that response staggered me, given that Ballinrobe will receive €42,000 from punters (via SIS) for that meeting alone.
It isn’t just punters that are affected by the poor standard of ground reporting, as trainers need this information just as early if not earlier than punters in cases where they are in two minds about running their horses due to the possibility of a change in ground.
Enough moaning, this problem can be sorted out very quickly. As was called for in this space 14 months ago, the Turf Club and/or Horse Racing Ireland must issue a directive to the tracks obliging them to issue a ground/weather update by no later than 9am on the day of racing.
This isn’t a big ask of either the authorities or the racecourses, but it would notably increase the quality of service to the industry as well as encouraging increased betting turnover which translates to increased income for the industry through betting tax.
I have rarely had a stronger response to a blog subject than this one. Punters are without question the most important interest group in racing that do not have an organisation to represent them, so please, if this is an issue you feel strongly about, take a minute to send a short email to the Turf Club (info@turfclub.ie) and ask them to take action on the quality and quantity of going reports from Irish racecourses. Make your voice heard.
Apparently (as they claimed today) they do not have time in the day to write 140 characters to let punters know what the going is like ahead of a race day!
Action Needed On Below-Standard Ground Reports
This column has highlighted many times the shortcomings of racecourses with regard to the reporting of the ground conditions at their tracks.
It was emphasised that accurate and up-to-date reporting of both the ground conditions and local weather were extremely important not just for those who are contemplating having a bet, but also for trainers mulling over whether or not to run their horses.
There have been some commendable improvements in the last year, with many tracks increasing the frequency of their ground reports and the detail of their local weather forecast information, but the general standard is still not nearly as high as it needs to be and some tracks remain particularly poor in their reporting.
The main problem remains the same as it was last year, as while every track seems to have no problem getting a ground report in very early on the day of declarations - so that trainers and owners can decide whether or not to declare their horses - the day-of-the-race reporting remains extremely lax in many cases.
Such is the changeable and localised nature of the Irish weather, it is very common for the ground to change from declaration time to the off of the first race, sometimes notably, yet the reporting of the ground by the racecourses in between these times rarely reflects this truth. All too often we are left waiting until after noon on the day of racing to get an update and often much later than that in the case of evening racing, even in cases where changeable weather is forecast, and it would appear to be a case of the tracks not thinking that this information matters enough to get it out earlier.
As well as that, it appears that the Turf Club and racecourse officials have a policy of issuing no further updates if there has been no change in ground conditions since declaration time. This regularly leads to instances where, even if the rain has been hammering down outside your door, punters don’t know for sure if the ground or weather forecast for that day’s race meeting has changed until the SIS representative sends an update to the betting shops and media perhaps an hour before the first race.
The problem that this creates for punters is obvious, as anyone who takes betting remotely seriously cannot get involved with confidence if there is a significant doubt surrounding the state of the ground.
Considering that most betting markets are up and running by 10am and that many punters will seek to take morning prices, such a lack of up-to-date ground information results in substantial frustration for punters that are regularly faced with the conundrum of having to either place their bets based on guesstimates of what the ground will be based on a ground report that is over 24 hours old, or risk missing the best price in the morning markets by holding off until the ground is belatedly updated.
Sadly, many industry professionals will be rolling their eyes on reading the above, as there is an attitude of “who cares?” amongst many industry participants with regard to the betting public. This, despite the fact that €27 million of the €56 million that funded racing in Ireland last year was derived from betting tax on punters stakes alone. That percentage is only going to rise once the long-awaited tax on off-shore betting revenue is implemented.
Indeed, one would have thought that the racecourses would be one interest group that would have the punters in mind, given that they directly benefit from a fee of €6,000 for each individual race they run from SIS for the rights to broadcast the race footage into betting shops. No punters, no SIS money.
Yet, despite the extremely important role that the punter plays in the financing of individual racecourses, they seem to remain at the very bottom of the priority list when decisions are being made.
Last Tuesday afternoon I tweeted Ballinrobe Racecourse to ask for a ground update for their meeting that evening, given that there had been no official report since 8am the previous day. Ballinrobe replied that the ground hadn’t changed, and presumably this is why there had been no update.
Ballinrobe is regarded as one of our more forward-thinking tracks, but when I suggested to them that it would be a good idea to circulate an official ground update even if there hadn’t been a change (given that showers had been forecast) they replied: “Resources are limited in small tracks and we don’t have time to spend all day on Twitter. We will keep in mind to update any change in going in the future. #giveusabreak.”
Maybe they were under pressure as racetime approached, but that response staggered me, given that Ballinrobe will receive €42,000 from punters (via SIS) for that meeting alone.
It isn’t just punters that are affected by the poor standard of ground reporting, as trainers need this information just as early if not earlier than punters in cases where they are in two minds about running their horses due to the possibility of a change in ground.
Enough moaning, this problem can be sorted out very quickly. As was called for in this space 14 months ago, the Turf Club and/or Horse Racing Ireland must issue a directive to the tracks obliging them to issue a ground/weather update by no later than 9am on the day of racing.
This isn’t a big ask of either the authorities or the racecourses, but it would notably increase the quality of service to the industry as well as encouraging increased betting turnover which translates to increased income for the industry through betting tax.
I have rarely had a stronger response to a blog subject than this one. Punters are without question the most important interest group in racing that do not have an organisation to represent them, so please, if this is an issue you feel strongly about, take a minute to send a short email to the Turf Club (info@turfclub.ie) and ask them to take action on the quality and quantity of going reports from Irish racecourses. Make your voice heard.
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What a stupid response from Ballinrobe, no regard for the punters at all.
Why is anyone surprised about this?
Tracks now getting money for old rope and the last person they need to care about is the punter.
Punters and race goers voiceless for years and HRI & turf club just pay lip-service a la race goers consultative forum
Tracks now getting money for old rope and the last person they need to care about is the punter.
Punters and race goers voiceless for years and HRI & turf club just pay lip-service a la race goers consultative forum
I have sent an email to the Turf Club. The the tracks are taking the mick and need a solid kick up the arse.
Who do you think will give the ground update.
The present position is the jockeys give the ground after the first race.
The present position is the jockeys give the ground after the first race.
A cynical view, wildman! That is often true in the case of rain close to the off, but the Turf Club/racecourse officials should be good enough to give a fair estimate of the ground on the morning of racing.
Those who contribute so much to prize money (The Punters) have no one on the Board of HRI. Yet those who contribute very little (Bookmakers and Breeders) are very well represented.
I am defending the Clerk of the Course in my first line.
He is an employee of the Turf Club and now under some pressure due to cutbacks,most times he only turns up on the day so my question still stands who do you think should give the ground report.
He is an employee of the Turf Club and now under some pressure due to cutbacks,most times he only turns up on the day so my question still stands who do you think should give the ground report.
wildman,
I would think the people that run the track and maintain the ground every day, be it the manager or head groundsman or whoever, would be able to pass on how much rain has fallen and give a competent opinion on the ground. If not, they are not fit for job? It isn't rocket science. Better again, why dont they just bite the bullet and bring in the Going stick like they have in England so they can send anyone around to get a reading?
I would think the people that run the track and maintain the ground every day, be it the manager or head groundsman or whoever, would be able to pass on how much rain has fallen and give a competent opinion on the ground. If not, they are not fit for job? It isn't rocket science. Better again, why dont they just bite the bullet and bring in the Going stick like they have in England so they can send anyone around to get a reading?
They are not because groundsmen are just that groundsman they don't get the nuances of ground conditions sure if they did why would you need the Clerk of the Course.
Even the Clerk of the Course is wary about giving his opinion on the ground,one thing that should happen is the Turf Club should not be allowed fine trainers for withdrawing horses on the basis of ground.
Even the Clerk of the Course is wary about giving his opinion on the ground,one thing that should happen is the Turf Club should not be allowed fine trainers for withdrawing horses on the basis of ground.
I can't agree with that. This isn't rocket science. Trainers themselves and their staff are regularly out walking the tracks to decide if it is suitable for their horses and your telling me that the track managers and senior groundstaff that are out walking their tracks every day of the year aren't capable of giving an accurate assessment of the ground? You must not have much regard for the track employees!
The point of the clerk of the course I'm guessing is that there is an obvious advantage in having the same couple of guys doing the job all over the country with a view to consistency, but that system doesnt work any more, as people want more updates.
If the track staff are as incapable as you seem to think, then all they need do is measure how much rain has fallen overnight and give that out in their morning update then people will at least have some information to make a judgement call on what the gorund is like.
The point of the clerk of the course I'm guessing is that there is an obvious advantage in having the same couple of guys doing the job all over the country with a view to consistency, but that system doesnt work any more, as people want more updates.
If the track staff are as incapable as you seem to think, then all they need do is measure how much rain has fallen overnight and give that out in their morning update then people will at least have some information to make a judgement call on what the gorund is like.
most racing staff unemployable.......cant give a ground description.......cant start a race......cant combat corruption......cant race plan......only this week theres an all flat today in Killarney.......and two jumps clashing on Friday......most of the staff are ex jocks.....or political appointees.....brian Kavanagh......joey banahan......caroline gray.......paddy graffin......ffs.....
Employing ex jockeys is a good thing,Lorcan Wyer is the best Clerk of the Course we have had for years.
Its not that easy to give accurate ground descriptions and watching lads stamping the ground to test it always makes me laugh for instance if Brian Kavanagh was doing the stamping he would leave some indentation but Niall McCullough would not.
Groundsmen are not well paid and don't want the responsibility,track managers have a vested interest in being economical with the truth.
Leopardstown and Naas water part of their tracks leaving a swathe of firm ground on the stand side,Tipperary regularly over water including the day they left a channel of firm ground on the stand side which caused scrimmaging to get on the golden highway.
The starter in Ireland is nervous and tries too hard someone should tell him it doesn't really matter if some horses lose a length or two at the start.
Its not that easy to give accurate ground descriptions and watching lads stamping the ground to test it always makes me laugh for instance if Brian Kavanagh was doing the stamping he would leave some indentation but Niall McCullough would not.
Groundsmen are not well paid and don't want the responsibility,track managers have a vested interest in being economical with the truth.
Leopardstown and Naas water part of their tracks leaving a swathe of firm ground on the stand side,Tipperary regularly over water including the day they left a channel of firm ground on the stand side which caused scrimmaging to get on the golden highway.
The starter in Ireland is nervous and tries too hard someone should tell him it doesn't really matter if some horses lose a length or two at the start.
Ironically, as far as I know, it is the clerks that have to authorise watering, so maybe they aren't as clever as you giving them credit for.
The more I think about, maybe the best solution is to take some of the pressure off the humans and just bring in the Going stick. Any monkey can operate it and it would give us a number to guide us rather than an opinion of a man with a pokey stick.
The more I think about, maybe the best solution is to take some of the pressure off the humans and just bring in the Going stick. Any monkey can operate it and it would give us a number to guide us rather than an opinion of a man with a pokey stick.
All the Turd Club has to do is train about 3 employees on the workings of the going stick, there is never usually anymore than 2 Irish meetings on anyway, 3 at Xmas, hardly huge expense to buy a few going sticks?.
Then once trained their job for the day is to go to whatever race meeting and give up to date stick readings every 3 hours or so starting at 8am, with a special page on the Turd Clubs website for the up to date stick readings to be published.
But thats all well and good but this is where it gets a little sticky if you forgive the pun, as many of these courses are privately run as Wildman says they have a vested interest in been economical with the truth so I'd say they would not be too keen to embrace the use of the going stick from Turd Club employees.
Then once trained their job for the day is to go to whatever race meeting and give up to date stick readings every 3 hours or so starting at 8am, with a special page on the Turd Clubs website for the up to date stick readings to be published.
But thats all well and good but this is where it gets a little sticky if you forgive the pun, as many of these courses are privately run as Wildman says they have a vested interest in been economical with the truth so I'd say they would not be too keen to embrace the use of the going stick from Turd Club employees.
They may be privately owned silvergreaser, but HRI control the allocation of fixtures, so any track that doesnt play ball is risking losing fixtures. That would be the right approach, but they wont bother doing it unless there is a big demand for it. As punters, we should get behind this and hassle the Turf Club. If they think no one cares, they wont bother making changes.
Fair point paddywhacker, a little subtle bullying might work.
Kevin Blake has highlighted it maybe a few more in the media might follow suit, I know racing journalism is not renowned for its aggressive reporting of anything for fear of been outcast, but an aggressive media campaign would harm nobody in fact the trainers would all be supportive of it.
Kevin Blake has highlighted it maybe a few more in the media might follow suit, I know racing journalism is not renowned for its aggressive reporting of anything for fear of been outcast, but an aggressive media campaign would harm nobody in fact the trainers would all be supportive of it.
Silvergreaser some tracks favour certain trainers in their watering policies.
But they'll still have independent stick readings so the stick should be able to confirm over watered, under watered or just right.
I know the stick readings are not 100% fool proof but an awful lot more sophisticated than the heal of a Wellington boot.
I know the stick readings are not 100% fool proof but an awful lot more sophisticated than the heal of a Wellington boot.
Fair points about the Going stick. It makes sense, but sure when did making sense ever make something more likely to be implemented by HRI/Turf Club?
I've emailed the Turf Club about this earlier this morning. Like others have said, they need to be shown that punters actually care and demand a better service.
I've emailed the Turf Club about this earlier this morning. Like others have said, they need to be shown that punters actually care and demand a better service.
Surely the track should know how to measure how much rainfall has fallen during the day, each race?
Let's take the last Curragh meeting. If you wanted to know how much rain fell during racing. Would it be possible to access this information somewhere?
With respect to the Clerks. Paddy Graffin is the best one we have for my money.
Let's take the last Curragh meeting. If you wanted to know how much rain fell during racing. Would it be possible to access this information somewhere?
With respect to the Clerks. Paddy Graffin is the best one we have for my money.
paddy griffin is one ordinary human being.......
PAULIE GO MAKE YOURSELF A NICE CUP OF TEA AND RELAX , THERES A GOOD LAD , YOU'RE ONLY UPSETTING YOURSELF , YOU CANT SEEM TO AGREE WITH ANYONE ON HERE.....
Update on the blog this week.
SEPTEMBER 2ND: GROUND REPORTS FOLLOW UP
Article Date: 02-September-2013
Blake’s Blog: Ground Reports Follow Up
I have never had a stronger level of feedback from a blog than have received from last week’s blog regarding the inadequate reporting of ground conditions in Irish racing. Both online and on the racecourse, punters and racing professionals alike were categorical in their agreement that Irish racecourses should provide a better level of information to their customers. This is clearly an issue that rankles with many and I feel obliged to express some of the thoughts that have been passed on to me on it in recent days.
Many were quick to compare the level of information that British tracks provide to their customers compared to what we get over here and when one delves into this, it is a telling comparison to make.
To give an example, the following is the report from Carlisle, one of Britain’s smaller tracks, on the morning of their meeting last week. Please note that this appeared at 7am on the morning of the races after multiple other updates between 48-hour declaration time and this stage:
CARLISLE (Updated: 7:00am) Good to Firm
(GoingStick: 8.0 on Wednesday at 06:30am)
Stalls: All on inside
Stable Bend and Old Stable Bend moved out, adding 20 yards to 1m 6f, and 10 yards to 1m and 1m 1f races
2mm of rain on Friday and dry since.
Forecast overcast and dry. Max temp 14 deg C.
Selectively watered 7mm on Thursday 22nd.
Contrast this with the report given by the Curragh, one of the best tracks in Ireland for using social media and passing on track information, on the morning of their Group 1 meeting last Sunday:
Curragh racecourse:
The ground at the Curragh remains good to firm.
The above isn’t a criticism of the Curragh, it is simply an illustration of how much ground even the better Irish tracks have to make up on their British counterparts in the information stakes.
The fact that Irish racing is lagging behind British racing in terms of the standard of information given to punters is all the more embarrassing when one considers that how the different jurisdictions are funded. In Great Britain, racing is funded via a betting tax which is taken from the gross profits of the bookmakers, which essentially means that the more punters lose, the more money racing gets, thus if anything, it is technically in British racings best financial interest to mislead rather than inform their punters.
In Ireland, bookmakers are taxed on their turnover, so the more money that punters bet, win or lose, the more money racing gets. Yet, despite this, Irish racing only provides a fraction of the punter-friendly information that encourages increased betting turnover that Great Britain does, which is ludicrous.
One point that was made to me on this subject was the staff at tracks wouldn’t necessarily have the time (given that many managers at the smaller tracks are part-time employees), experience or confidence to give out official ground updates in the absence of the Clerk of the Course. I would suggest that if a manager doesn’t have the time, experience or confidence to step out on their own track on the morning of racing and give an informed opinion on the ground that they aren’t fit for such an important role, but this issue could readily be solved by introducing a GoingStick to Irish racecourses. This would relieve pressure from the shoulders of the Clerk of the Course and also allow non-skilled staff at tracks to make positive information contributions in his absence.
The GoingStick has been in use by every track in Great Britain since 2009 and it gives an objective, numerical assessment of the ground, with a significant positive being that it can be used by non-skilled staff to obtain regular ground updates.
From what I’ve been told, the GoingStick was trialled in Ireland a number of years ago and concerns were raised that it was giving unusual readings when the ground got very heavy during the winter. While this is a slight concern, no one is ever going to mistake heavy ground for anything else and the real value of the Goingstick is its assessment of the middle ranges of ground which are very much open to subjectivity rather than the extremities.
As was discussed last week, it is clear that many Irish tracks do not “get” this issue and see no problem with giving out the absolute bare minimum quantity and quality of information. Thus, I will repeat my call that the Turf Club need to act on this. In the shorter term, a directive that establishes a higher standard of required information that is comparable to what tracks in Great Britain produce would be a positive first step. In the longer term, the Turf Club should seriously consider the Going Stick as a significant step forward in finding a solution to this ongoing problem.
Irish racing has the quality and variety to be considered one of the best racing jurisdictions in the world, but basic shortcomings such as the above will continue to hold it back from being acknowledged as such on a worldwide level.
SEPTEMBER 2ND: GROUND REPORTS FOLLOW UP
Article Date: 02-September-2013
Blake’s Blog: Ground Reports Follow Up
I have never had a stronger level of feedback from a blog than have received from last week’s blog regarding the inadequate reporting of ground conditions in Irish racing. Both online and on the racecourse, punters and racing professionals alike were categorical in their agreement that Irish racecourses should provide a better level of information to their customers. This is clearly an issue that rankles with many and I feel obliged to express some of the thoughts that have been passed on to me on it in recent days.
Many were quick to compare the level of information that British tracks provide to their customers compared to what we get over here and when one delves into this, it is a telling comparison to make.
To give an example, the following is the report from Carlisle, one of Britain’s smaller tracks, on the morning of their meeting last week. Please note that this appeared at 7am on the morning of the races after multiple other updates between 48-hour declaration time and this stage:
CARLISLE (Updated: 7:00am) Good to Firm
(GoingStick: 8.0 on Wednesday at 06:30am)
Stalls: All on inside
Stable Bend and Old Stable Bend moved out, adding 20 yards to 1m 6f, and 10 yards to 1m and 1m 1f races
2mm of rain on Friday and dry since.
Forecast overcast and dry. Max temp 14 deg C.
Selectively watered 7mm on Thursday 22nd.
Contrast this with the report given by the Curragh, one of the best tracks in Ireland for using social media and passing on track information, on the morning of their Group 1 meeting last Sunday:
Curragh racecourse:
The ground at the Curragh remains good to firm.
The above isn’t a criticism of the Curragh, it is simply an illustration of how much ground even the better Irish tracks have to make up on their British counterparts in the information stakes.
The fact that Irish racing is lagging behind British racing in terms of the standard of information given to punters is all the more embarrassing when one considers that how the different jurisdictions are funded. In Great Britain, racing is funded via a betting tax which is taken from the gross profits of the bookmakers, which essentially means that the more punters lose, the more money racing gets, thus if anything, it is technically in British racings best financial interest to mislead rather than inform their punters.
In Ireland, bookmakers are taxed on their turnover, so the more money that punters bet, win or lose, the more money racing gets. Yet, despite this, Irish racing only provides a fraction of the punter-friendly information that encourages increased betting turnover that Great Britain does, which is ludicrous.
One point that was made to me on this subject was the staff at tracks wouldn’t necessarily have the time (given that many managers at the smaller tracks are part-time employees), experience or confidence to give out official ground updates in the absence of the Clerk of the Course. I would suggest that if a manager doesn’t have the time, experience or confidence to step out on their own track on the morning of racing and give an informed opinion on the ground that they aren’t fit for such an important role, but this issue could readily be solved by introducing a GoingStick to Irish racecourses. This would relieve pressure from the shoulders of the Clerk of the Course and also allow non-skilled staff at tracks to make positive information contributions in his absence.
The GoingStick has been in use by every track in Great Britain since 2009 and it gives an objective, numerical assessment of the ground, with a significant positive being that it can be used by non-skilled staff to obtain regular ground updates.
From what I’ve been told, the GoingStick was trialled in Ireland a number of years ago and concerns were raised that it was giving unusual readings when the ground got very heavy during the winter. While this is a slight concern, no one is ever going to mistake heavy ground for anything else and the real value of the Goingstick is its assessment of the middle ranges of ground which are very much open to subjectivity rather than the extremities.
As was discussed last week, it is clear that many Irish tracks do not “get” this issue and see no problem with giving out the absolute bare minimum quantity and quality of information. Thus, I will repeat my call that the Turf Club need to act on this. In the shorter term, a directive that establishes a higher standard of required information that is comparable to what tracks in Great Britain produce would be a positive first step. In the longer term, the Turf Club should seriously consider the Going Stick as a significant step forward in finding a solution to this ongoing problem.
Irish racing has the quality and variety to be considered one of the best racing jurisdictions in the world, but basic shortcomings such as the above will continue to hold it back from being acknowledged as such on a worldwide level.
Interesting interview with Brian Kavanagh attached.
Interesting from point of view that the punter / racegoer is not even recognised in passing.
Just happy to keep dipping into the government war chest is our Brian.
http://www.ownerbreeder.co.uk/2013/08/life-of-brian/
Interesting from point of view that the punter / racegoer is not even recognised in passing.
Just happy to keep dipping into the government war chest is our Brian.
http://www.ownerbreeder.co.uk/2013/08/life-of-brian/
Exactly distant view not as much as a mention of the word punter/paying customer.
Owners, breeders, government funding, prize money blah blah blah
Owners, breeders, government funding, prize money blah blah blah
Seems strange that the going at Laytown is dictated by the gravitational pull of the moon , now i wonder how many race meetings that happens to.
The Curragh one for the weekend has me a bit puzzled,accept it is generally described as good,firm in parts on the round course and yielding in parts on what i presume are for the sprint races. Surprised to see such a variation from firm to yielding(both in parts tbf) on a course going report. Presume the straight track got a bit more watering at some stage.
I think the straight track is always a bit softer than the round track due to the natural gradients of the track, as the round track is higher than the straight.
Thanks Paddy, see what you mean, as an aside see the weather for Saturday night mightn,t be great,could be a bit of difference in the going for the two days.
Heard it was going to be dirty on Sunday alright. Pity, its a very good card.
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