Common Sense – Yes and No
Great to see racing return to the Hawera track, where the circuit has, for decades, been an integral part of the Northern calendar. Given the continuing success of racing on the green surface in the other Island, it seems crazy that similar results can’t be achieved elsewhere.
Apart from anything else it gives the opportunity for both horses and trainers to add a little variety to their menu, away from the speed tracks of Cambridge and Auckland. Judging by the support this week’s meeting has received by way of horse numbers, it seems that such meetings will not only continue, but grow.
On the flip side, it seems that the old adage that ‘if you keep doing the same thing, you’ll keep getting the same result’ needs to be displayed on the wall of the HRNZ Handicapping Department. At a meeting Association reps had with HRNZ officials back in November, we expressed concern at the conditions of the South Bay Trotters race at Kaikoura, which was programmed for R60 – R120 horses, with the R111 – 120’s off a measly 10 metres.
It was not surprising that no horses rated anywhere near R60 lined up, with Group One winners only ten metres behind them. Consequently, only seven horses raced, no doubt costing the Club and Industry substantial turnover.
Despite assurances that such a scenario would be avoided in the future, this weeks Addington meeting included yet another R60 – R120 trot, with two Group One winners on a ten metre handicap. Imagine our surprise when the result was a five horse field, yet another disaster for the Club and Industry.
We have asked for an explanation, but sadly the horse has bolted.
Pete Cook