Miracle mile

[teecee]

It was reported on "The Box Seat"...Harness review / preview show on Trackside TV in NZ tonight that the connections of several horses in Saturday night's Miracle Mile (and other races) reported that the Menangle track was TOO HARD for their horses. They reported being told by officials when querying the state of the track that the track was prepared for racing with the likelihood of rain.
If I am to understand this correctly, the topping of the track was removed so as not to become the sludge often seen at Menangle and Melton on wet racenights.
When the rains did not come the track was left in a very hard state.


Any comments from those in the know so to speak...

[aussiebreno]

It was reported on "The Box Seat"...Harness review / preview show on Trackside TV in NZ tonight that the connections of several horses in Saturday night's Miracle Mile (and other races) reported that the Menangle track was TOO HARD for their horses. They reported being told by officials when querying the state of the track that the track was prepared for racing with the likelihood of rain.
If I am to understand this correctly, the topping of the track was removed so as not to become the sludge often seen at Menangle and Melton on wet racenights.
When the rains did not come the track was left in a very hard state.


Any comments from those in the know so to speak...

You mean the track isn't prepared the exact same each week and the weather isn't 100% spot on each week, so we can't actually compare time for time from one week to another? Blasphemy!!!

[Richard prior]

Not to sure how long it takes the put the topping on, but the cloud that Sydney had was very high and started to break up before mid day and it was extremely unlikely there would be any rain. I guess in hindsight a better option would have been to put 50% of the usual amount on the track in the early afternoon. Fred might be able to give us some feed back on the process.

[Toohard]

It was reported on "The Box Seat"...Harness review / preview show on Trackside TV in NZ tonight that the connections of several horses in Saturday night's Miracle Mile (and other races) reported that the Menangle track was TOO HARD for their horses. They reported being told by officials when querying the state of the track that the track was prepared for racing with the likelihood of rain.
If I am to understand this correctly, the topping of the track was removed so as not to become the sludge often seen at Menangle and Melton on wet racenights.
When the rains did not come the track was left in a very hard state.


Any comments from those in the know so to speak...

Had nothing to do with me teecee!!

Heard same from trainers. 1 very astute one, who was at the track but didn't have a runner in, picked it up from seeing how much the track conditioner on back of tractor was digging into track (virtually not at all). Well spotted Danno!

[Mighty Atom]

It was reported on "The Box Seat"...Harness review / preview show on Trackside TV in NZ tonight that the connections of several horses in Saturday night's Miracle Mile (and other races) reported that the Menangle track was TOO HARD for their horses. They reported being told by officials when querying the state of the track that the track was prepared for racing with the likelihood of rain.
If I am to understand this correctly, the topping of the track was removed so as not to become the sludge often seen at Menangle and Melton on wet racenights.
When the rains did not come the track was left in a very hard state.


Any comments from those in the know so to speak...

What a great way to induce injuries.

[p plater]

I overheard 2 trainers saying exactly that. They said in needed an inch of topping.

[Boydy]

To top dress would probably take between 500 - 800 tonnes of material.

Not something that could be completed 3 hours before a race meeting.

A good couple of days work.

[Richard prior]

Thanks Adam, Wasn't exactly sure of the process. I guess your damned if you do and damned if you don't.

[HaroldParker]

Not as many as a Friday night @ Harold Park.

and the peeps @ Harold Park paid to get in as well

[p plater]

After barrier draw For a Reason may well be leaders back

Smoken Up 1 and For a reason 2