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Ascot Opening Day

West Australian Racing

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  • FastmoneyFastmoney    4,912 posts
    edited August 2016
    Piston_Broke said:

    they haven't had any trouble at Morphetville or Doomben this season. Singapore race more than 50 times a season, no problem there either

    Don`t think Morphettville, Doomben and Singapore are in Vic or NSW.

    And don`t forget the WA Governments view is that we should have 1 City track, so no midweek Metro or 100 meetings per year.

    Winsumlosesum, frenc11 likes this post.

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  • thefalconthefalcon    20,485 posts

    there is something radically wrong here, piston.

    what it is, I have no idea....

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  • silkysilky    430 posts
    Does anyone know what type of grasses are used at the Belmont track? With regards to the problems with the Ascot track, I can understand it would be hard to regenerate the surface between May and October given the Kikuyu grass they use is dormant during that period.

    frenc11 likes this post.

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  • paraleticparaletic    3,750 posts
    Snakadaktal said:

    everything is just swimmingly at Ascot, the plan is coming together


    image
    to me, in the middle of august, that's decent coverage. Give it some sun and warmer nights over spring it will be fine by mid October

    westundies, Very_Average_Punter likes this post.

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  • RIORIO    14,902 posts

    AS long as the next cut isn't too short I think that has hope.....I just did my winter grass on the weekend (well that is what I though it looked like) Cut it long, so it could grow and spread with heat and light getting to the ground level and in a few weeks it will be ready for another mow and some serious coverage is expected.

    BUT the just need a few good weeks of sunlight. Even if we get the rain in between spells of sunlight it can come good.........However PR just don't seem to get lucky too often. I think there is a old saying around about how some people/organisations seem to get a lot of luck!!

    ;)

    frenc11 likes this post.

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  • GLAMOURGLAMOUR    877 posts
    When actually is the first meeting at Ascot?
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  • FastmoneyFastmoney    4,912 posts
    Oct 15th
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  • BobbyDavisBobbyDavis    916 posts
    Hopefully it all turns out well. I was thinking that maybe the curator decided to take it right back to bare bones this year to give it every opportunity to survive the rigours of the season ahead.
    I'm not sure but maybe such an aggressive approach hasn't been undertaken for a while and the thatch/shite buildup underneath may have needed a full overhaul?
    Time will tell. Perhaps we will be pleasantly surprised. Hopefully this will be the case.

    Gilgamesh, jum, spinking, thefalcon, Very_Average_Punter, frenc11 likes this post.

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  • howieblewitthowieblewitt    30 posts
    Haven't seen Mr WACA at the track lately?
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  • westundieswestundies    29 posts
    Belmont track consists prodimantly of kikuyu. The grass that is currently green at Belmont is rye. Ascot has always been a kikuyu track but that could be changing.
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  • thefalconthefalcon    20,485 posts
    how come a decade ago Belmont was, undoubtedly the best winter track in Oz? they raced after  a week of consistent rain...where did it go wrong or are we governed by work safe and precious jocks?
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  • howieblewitthowieblewitt    30 posts
    the falcon said:

    how come a decade ago Belmont was, undoubtedly the best winter track in Oz? they raced after  a week of consistent rain...where did it go wrong or are we governed by work safe and precious jocks?



    Falcon,
    I think they need one board that over looks all three codes, the biggest problem right now is when things are tight they all think they deserve more than the other. You cant change the product like other sports so you need to think smarter. You cant have two thoroughbred tracks in the city and the size of GP and its prime location it should move. Corporates are killing it here in Perth, but what can be done to bring the crowds back? The government has a lot to answer for with the sweet deal crown has on gambling in this state. I have always thought that trainers & jockeys don't do enough to promote the sport, we need these people in front of the camera showing raw emotions and interact with the crowd. Why do the other sports do well, maybe it is because they interact with the crowd and build the atmosphere. The call it the sport of kings but you don't have to act like one!

    frenc11 likes this post.

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  • howieblewitthowieblewitt    30 posts
    westundies said:

    Belmont track consists prodimantly of kikuyu. The grass that is currently green at Belmont is rye. Ascot has always been a kikuyu track but that could be changing.



    Westundies,
    From what I know they only use rye for quick fix for damaged areas as it doesn't last long in hot weather and 500kg horses. After talking to many at the track at Ascot I cant see Opening Day on the 15th October happening and if that happens heads should roll. But that wont happen because PR will put a spin on it to save face.

    RIO, frenc11 likes this post.

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  • RIORIO    14,902 posts
    ^^^^probably already got Bunbury lined up to have another stand alone meeting as it was so successful howieB!!

    howieblewitt, jum, notapunta likes this post.

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  • DamienWyerDamienWyer    7,987 posts
    howieblewitt said:

    the falcon said:

    how come a decade ago Belmont was, undoubtedly the best winter track in Oz? they raced after  a week of consistent rain...where did it go wrong or are we governed by work safe and precious jocks?



    Falcon,
    I think they need one board that over looks all three codes, the biggest problem right now is when things are tight they all think they deserve more than the other. You cant change the product like other sports so you need to think smarter. You cant have two thoroughbred tracks in the city and the size of GP and its prime location it should move. Corporates are killing it here in Perth, but what can be done to bring the crowds back? The government has a lot to answer for with the sweet deal crown has on gambling in this state. I have always thought that trainers & jockeys don't do enough to promote the sport, we need these people in front of the camera showing raw emotions and interact with the crowd. Why do the other sports do well, maybe it is because they interact with the crowd and build the atmosphere. The call it the sport of kings but you don't have to act like one!
    Essentially the reason why you don't have better coverage is the tight control that existed at Perth Racing, and probably still exists, when anyone other than those on the payroll or those being paid via advertising, were controlled like a dog on a leash that was never allowed to have an opinion, only to bark on commend. Those who challenged it were subject to litigation.

    The reporting of Racing in WA is something akin to a political rally. It's quite simply the party line that nobody ever rocks the boat out of fear of losing access. It's pathetic really. Journalistic integrity doesn't even exist in this town. The only shining light in that respect is the imminent closure of print media that eventually will happen, and nobody will give a toss as it won't be a loss at that moment in time. There is no radio coverage of any integrity, only the broadcast of Kim Il Jung proportions from the North telling us we are the greatest.

    So the reason you don't have a lot of people out in front of cameras or behind microphones, is that they are censored or subject to regulations that prohibit almost all comment other than complimentary to the system.

    So what's the point of having an opinion ? First time anyone says anything and all hell breaks loose. Trainers and Jockeys are seen as whingers when they try and swim upstream, and it usually takes a catastrophe to get anything other than a measured non political response on any issue. Nobody is accountable as a result.

    This story regarding the track is one of a temporary nature. It may delay the opening of Ascot, it most likely won't if the weather turns and we get some sunshine. But it won't be management, it will be divine intervention.

    If not for a handful of wealthy owners, probably less than ten, Racing would be about as powerful as lawn bowls.


    frenc11 likes this post.

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  • jumjum    3,581 posts

    Is Westundies Mr Cricket. 

    :-?  :-?

    westundies, paraletic likes this post.

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  • westundieswestundies    29 posts
    Not even close

    jum, paraletic likes this post.

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  • howieblewitthowieblewitt    30 posts
    westundies is probably Mr Crickets sidekick?
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  • dungydungy    9,278 posts
    Ohhh Wolfey loves to get on the soap box 
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  • KkkKkk    15 posts
    He was only trying to state the true facts as they really are,dingy,& was shortened up by them 2 on the radio , as per usual, there employer tells them what they can and can't say,, you obviously no very little about growing turf grass,, stick to mowing your home lawn I say!
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  • FastmoneyFastmoney    4,912 posts
    https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/32382639/more-concerns-over-ascot-track/#page1.
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  • GilgameshGilgamesh    5,009 posts
    It's winters fault! This winter has been very wintery you naughty winter you.

    RIO, FreoHitman, spinking, jum, Legless, howieblewitt, TheDiva, dungy, OliversTwist likes this post.

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  • LeglessLegless    5,108 posts
    edited August 2016
    howieblewitt said:

    With less than three months to opening day at ascot and there seems to be concerns on the condition of the track? I hope this isn't true as last year was an absolute disgrace, for a so called metropolitan race track.

    the falcon said:

    stop stirring.....whats wrong with the track our 10 poster friend?

    stirring??? really??? :-?

    RIO, howieblewitt likes this post.

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  • DamienWyerDamienWyer    7,987 posts
    Like I said, just needs sunshine and time
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  • LeglessLegless    5,108 posts
    Going to be tight - I'm expecting my paddocks ( seeded in April) to be spot on by Mid October.

    Rye and clovers have powered during winter whilst the other 4 varieties have been dormant. If we get a couple of extra weeks of winter type weather  :-SS  then there is no hope of it being ready on time IMHO
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  • howieblewitthowieblewitt    30 posts
    edited August 2016
    Over the past years has Perth Racing ever had problems on Ascot Opening day like last year and possibly this year? I can't remember.
    Good to see PR picked this guy for the job, hasn't he done a fine job??
    Either he has no idea or he is getting the wrong information from someone else??
    Winter can't be used as an excuse because it happens ever year. Mr Cricket doesn't have the knowledge but still has his job, what a joke. I think I will apply for his job when it comes up because I know $"@& all about horse tracks as well HaHa
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  • RIORIO    14,902 posts

    I do recall in the not too distant past HowieB that we had problems with having Ascot too hard too early in their season, and this caused a lot of concern with injured horses in the lead up to our richest carnival time. And also on the young 2yr olds racing. I also think this is why the old curator is "the old curator"

    So I think by having a goat track that you cant race on he has overcome that problem. Not sure if it was exactly the solution that PR had in mind though!!!

    ;))
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  • DamienWyerDamienWyer    7,987 posts
    With ever changing climate around Australia, having a set date for an opening day eventually can't work. What used to come in weather patterns 15 years ago doesn't now. Storms that used to come on the East Coast of Australia in September now regularly come in October and November with sometimes mild weather into November more like Spring than an early Summer. It is not really a surprise that a October start date is now more and more under pressure.I'm hoping the worst of the bad weather is over for the next couple of weeks, I'm told just now by a couple of our Trainers that it's hard to work horses who can't handle the slop of training tracks in the last few weeks.

    frenc11 likes this post.

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  • TheDivaTheDiva    13,248 posts
    Gilgamesh said:

    It's winters fault! This winter has been very wintery you naughty winter you.

    Post of the year....that made me laugh!


    howieblewitt, Manchild, Chelsea likes this post.

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  • frenc11frenc11    102 posts
    Just heard today from a source that the track wont be ready for opening day

    Chelsea likes this post.

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