Programming
As mentioned last week, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes on the current issues surrounding programming, something that is long overdue. And nowhere is a better indication of the problems than the Addington meeting this Friday.
Up until about three weeks ago, many Canterbury trainers were planning to make the sojourn over the Alps to the West Coast circuit, where their horses will be given two starts against what can often be mediocre opposition. Suddenly, when the sad news came through that the two meetings would be held in Canterbury, the decision was made to include two $15k races on the Friday night, for horses either on the verge of open class or near it. (Before I’m accused of using hindsight, I did question that move when the programme came out – and I have witnesses). To the surprise of very few, one of the races didn’t attract enough to run, and the other is going ahead with 6 horses, and undoubtedly a disaster turnover wise.
Maybe I’m being simplistic here, but there’s an old saying about not fixing something that ‘ain’t broke”. Surely if Canterbury trainers were willing to travel their horses hundreds of kilometres and race them twice in a weekend, does it not make sense that they would be just as happy to do the same thing closer to home?
I’ve never had a horse good enough to reach open class, but I would imagine that the connections of those horses plan their programme months in advance. So why chuck in an extra race with three weeks’ notice and expect them to turn up?
Yes, I do understand there was a meeting on the Wednesday at Oamaru for the lower grade horses, but that was there before the Coast meetings were transferred, so that can’t really be held up as a reason. And aren’t we being told ad infinitum that all efforts should be made to get as many horses as possible racing on our best turnover slot, Friday night? Obviously, there are too many race meetings for the number of horses around, but let’s cater for the one’s that are.
Having said all that, trainers can be pretty hard to fathom at times. Friday night sees the maiden mobile with 7, yet the Sunday meeting, for slightly less stake money, has two fields of 11!!
Pete Cook