Is the Ascot track surface in doubt for Day 1 ?

BlacksAFake · October 2015

12 races on Wednesday??
Should be good

DamienWyer · October 2015

Incredibly disappointing day for the WA Racing Industry today at Ascot.

thefalcon · October 2015

indeed it was, damo, indeed it was.

Bean · October 2015

Looks like they only running the two listed races on Wednesday. There are no 1400m races till November 7 72+. Let them run Wednesday you bloody tools Perth racing. How bout owners and trainers

TheDiva · October 2015

Here's the account of someone who was involved in inspecting the track yesterday.

Its common knowledge the track was burned with weed killer. That section of the track im told, looke like it will not be even close to being repaired for super saturday. It was painted green.

the rail was out 10m to avoid racing on the damaged grass.

the first 6m or so was cut 2-3 inches and it was flat and fast. From 5m out had the normal cover of grass, long and lush. There was nothing wrong with the cover, but it was heavy, slimy and had been overwatered.

It looks as though to try and repair the inside damaged part of the track, they had hit the track hard with watering and fertiliser. This has caused the good cover towards the outside to almost rot and there was no traction at all. This is the area where Steve Parnham came down.

So, the races were indirectly called off due to the damage of the track by the weed killer, as a result of over watering and having two completely different surfaces on the one track.

The first few races didnt use the wide part of the track, but with the bigger fields still to come on the day, it was most likely horses would fan and be in the heavy and slippery going

The point is, it "can" be fixed by wednesday by having the rail out and not over watering the track to compensate for the earlier balls up. The true position is a "gonner" Im told for the best part of the carnival.

rick · October 2015

heads shuld roll

thefalcon · October 2015

this rules visiting hoses out...pity i was looking forward to seeing buffring again...

carey · October 2015

The Diva said:

Its common knowledge the track was burned with weed killer. That section of the track im told, looke like it will not be even close to being repaired for super saturday. It was painted green.

haha, i just had a look at race four and yes it's is obvious the inside pad is in trouble.
the green paint was a poor colour match, perhaps they should have got the pms(pantone matching system) book out!!
it would be comical if it was not so serious.
so much for 'splendour'
not only should they sack the track guy, it would be a good idea to ditch the spinner of spin in all its 'splendour' too!

Tivers · October 2015

Just for those preaching the sacking of "the track guy"..... I assume you do have a more qualified / competent replacement lined up ?

I'm not expressing an opinion on whether he should or shouldn't (certainly I've shifted in my opinion yesterday) but as always - you've got to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water......

paraletic · October 2015

Bring murphy back

scoot · October 2015

John Waslin looked after the track when Murphy left and from what I saw and was told he did a magnificent job.

DamienWyer · October 2015

I spoke with Chris Waller Racing this morning and Liam assures me that they are coming over, even in the face of what happened yesterday. They very much wish to support Perth Racing and the efforts that Grant Burns has made in securing their participation this season.

DamienWyer · October 2015

I spoke with Craig Staples, President of the WA Jockeys Association this morning at length.

Let me firstly say, that they and the WA Trainers Association have acted in the best interest of both horses and riders, in reluctantly asking Stewards to call off yesterday's meeting at Ascot. They certainly do not wish to throw the baby out with the bath water by making statements that wildly en flame the situation. The part of the track where yesterday's fall occurred, had previously not been considered for inspection, as it presented in good order, and the areas closer to the true position were of more concern.

Having the rail moved to the 18M position for Wednesday does put reduced fields over the better quality surface, and subject to a two or three horse searching gallop on Tuesday, it is hoped that Wednesday's meeting can proceed in safety for all participants.

Where the next issue lies is what to do after that. The rail cannot stay in the 18M position for any more than perhaps two meetings, without that concentration of traffic causing damage in itself. So future meetings will be determined on an inspection by inspection basis the day prior to that scheduled race day.

If you are at Ascot this week for some reason, please take the time to have a look at the track. There is much speculation on social media, and many personal phone calls, as to the conditions, but the comments have come from people who have not walked the surface and have first hand knowledge. This is in itself harmful to the WA Racing Industry. We would ask that comments be tempered as a result.

bookielover · October 2015

I had had my doubts about the hardness of the Caulfield track yesterday, but am pleased to say that I was wrong and the track was prepared very well and raced pretty evenly. You could get up on the inside and win or fly down the outside and win. And horses have generally pulled up well after the days racing.

What happened in Perth yesterday, is inexcusable. When we had issues with Sandown after there were major remedial works to the track, the race meetings set down for that track were transferred.

At least the curators and the committee had the intelligence but more so, the lack of ego, to take responsibility for the track not being ready and made early decisions each time Sandown was supposed to race.

What happened yesterday, displayed a lack of knowledge on the part of the curator, who, if he knew what he was doing, should have known that the track may not stand up, and the meeting should have been transferred either back to Belmont or Pinjarra, rather than take the chance with Ascot.

Doubts had been expressed on here about the track more than a week ago.

Those in charge, have proven themselves to be totally incompetent, as has the curator.

Perth Racing have avoided a law suit more by luck than anything else.

I hate to think what would have happened had a jockey been killed due the incompetence of those in charge.

The fact is, they knew that there were issues with the track but did naught about it.

For this to happen in a major city at it's premier racing venue is disgraceful.

jbocca14 · October 2015

they did the right thing by cancelling it as safety is premium but it should have never been an issue in the first place.

SuperSnoop · October 2015

Damien Wyer said:
I spoke with Craig Staples, President of the WA Jockeys Association this morning at length.

Let me firstly say, that they and the WA Trainers Association have acted in the best interest of both horses and riders, in reluctantly asking Stewards to call off yesterday's meeting at Ascot. They certainly do not wish to throw the baby out with the bath water by making statements that wildly en flame the situation. The part of the track where yesterday's fall occurred, had previously not been considered for inspection, as it presented in good order, and the areas closer to the true position were of more concern.

Having the rail moved to the 18M position for Wednesday does put reduced fields over the better quality surface, and subject to a two or three horse searching gallop on Tuesday, it is hoped that Wednesday's meeting can proceed in safety for all participants.

Where the next issue lies is what to do after that. The rail cannot stay in the 18M position for any more than perhaps two meetings, without that concentration of traffic causing damage in itself. So future meetings will be determined on an inspection by inspection basis the day prior to that scheduled race day.

If you are at Ascot this week for some reason, please take the time to have a look at the track. There is much speculation on social media, and many personal phone calls, as to the conditions, but the comments have come from people who have not walked the surface and have first hand knowledge. This is in itself harmful to the WA Racing Industry. We would ask that comments be tempered as a result.

who prepared that statement for you? you've certainly changed your tune in the last few days.

youknowit · October 2015

Thats just Damien kicking with the breeze AGAIN.

DamienWyer · October 2015

I administered the Jockeys Facebook page for 12 months after creating it. Craig Staples likes to keep in touch as a result. I don't want to see anything other than clear honest communication on racing issues.

jum · October 2015

I'll Be clear and honest Damien.

Perth Racing Fuucked up Saturday. That's a fact

rick · October 2015

Damien Wyer said:

rick · October 2015

Damien Wyer said:
I administered the Jockeys Facebook page for 12 months after creating it. Craig Staples likes to keep in touch as a result. I don't want to see anything other than clear honest communication on racing issues.

Gee you don't mind blowing your own tyres up do ya

DamienWyer · October 2015

It is what it is.

octavius · October 2015

Damien Wyer said:
It is what it is.

Has to be the worst saying of all time, but I love to use it tongue in cheek.

G'day Punter!

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