Distances

[doinmabest]

What about 2400m jumping at the 1000m.........

[bbd]

Unless they are going to spend a lot of money on extra timing equipment, any start has to be where that timing already exists i.e. 400, 800, 1200, 1600, 2300 start and finishing post.
So with that in mind, you could start at the 1200 and make it a 2600m race but would require them to start on a bend. The only way to have another distance without installing new timing or starting on a bend is to have a 3000m starting at the 1600 and doing 2 laps, starting at the finishing post and going 2800m or start at the 800 and go 2200m.

[David Summers]

What about 2400m jumping at the 1000m.........

Fred , I heard that they were cutting back to 2200 to make things a bit easier for younger horses in progressing from 1609 to 2300. I think 2400 would be far too much of a leap in distance if that is what they are wanting to change it for.

BTW, any idea when we will see another one of those 20 horse fields over the 3009? That last trotters race that you called so well was great although it must have been a "little" bit of a nightmare to call

[Flashing Red]

Unless they are going to spend a lot of money on extra timing equipment, any start has to be where that timing already exists i.e. 400, 800, 1200, 1600, 2300 start and finishing post.
So with that in mind, you could start at the 1200 and make it a 2600m race but would require them to start on a bend. The only way to have another distance without installing new timing or starting on a bend is to have a 3000m starting at the 1600 and doing 2 laps, starting at the finishing post and going 2800m or start at the 800 and go 2200m.

I know they start at the winning post at the Meadowlands, but I don't really like that.

I think they should just spend some more money personally. They are going to build barns, upgrade the stabling facility.... why not add a new, longer distance to the track so they can race at least 3 distances like every other track in Australia.

While I love 2 mile races, I would still prefer to see the Menangle "long distance" to be shorter than that (say 2600m so they don't have to start at the turn and make their 2300m a shorter distance, whatever it turns out to be). If that means adding a new marker and timing system for it, then so be it. They have the money

[doinmabest]

Sorry to re-hash an oldie but I understand there will be NO 2200m start implemented at Menangle..... This is due to the short run to the first turn.

HOWEVER, watch for the Blue Riband 3yo Classics move to 2400m

[David Summers]

Hope you had a good holiday.

Thanks Fred , it's a shame, I would have liked to have seen 2200 metre racing at Menangle.

Well, 2400 metres , that's interesting , but only for the classics and not at other times? Looks like that from your post.

While I have your attention Fred :-) is there any prospect in the near future of one of those 3009 standing start races with up to 20 starters? You called one at Menangle about a year ago , and , although am no fan of standing starts, it was one of the best spectacles I have seen in a long time. Most of the horses were on their best behaviour and the huge field turning into the long Menangle straight was some sight. Fans I know still talk about that race.

It might be an idea for Menangle to have a couple now and then and promote them and give the race some sort of special name/ good prizemoney etc. Just a thought. Any promotions that can attract attention to harness racing should be worth trying.

[doinmabest]

David, not over 3009m but this weekend a 2300m stand for trotters with 16 runners

[TSW]

Sorry to re-hash an oldie but I understand there will be NO 2200m start implemented at Menangle..... This is due to the short run to the first turn.

HOWEVER, watch for the Blue Riband 3yo Classics move to 2400m

If they had a 2200m start, how far to the first corner? Would it be shorter than any other track in NSW?

[doinmabest]

Tim it would be a run of 200m to the first turn which is a longer run than some tracks but with 10 runners and the speed that may be generated I think it became a safety issue......

[TSW]

Tim it would be a run of 200m to the first turn which is a longer run than some tracks but with 10 runners and the speed that may be generated I think it became a safety issue......

I disagree ( the beauty of Forums), with the 'shorter' run to first corner, those out wide makeup their mind much earlier not to burn themselves up and giving their horses more in the tank for the run home. I have found that many horses that do have the early gate speed and are usual leaders, when eased out at the start their run home times are much better than is their norm. Too many horses are trained to burn out and therefore if unable to lead, pull their heads off. That's where the skill of a true horseman comes into play.