Diamond Geezer
Gone But Not Forgotten
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Tapeta, the surface invented by Michael Dickinson, is set to be installed at Wolverhampton.
Change of going at Wolverhampton
- Thread starter Diamond Geezer
- Start date
EC1
On a break
I'd say a lot of people care...i don't give a fck about bumpers or Hunter chases but i don't come on any thread about that sphere and moan about it
BennyB
Senior Jockey
Why shouldn't Newcastle be allowed to race on whatever surface it wants to? Nobody is forcing you to watch the racing if you don't find it interesting.
We live in a free country, or at least we did last time I checked.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
We live in a country where horse racing is licensed and to apply for fixtures one has to have approval from the BHA . Despite ARC's virtual monopoly on AW racing and the endless dross they put on across their tracks a very good turf track is being torn up to put on yet more AW racing which very few people save a few hundred saddos in their jacamo trousers watching ATR all day every day want to watch or bet on .
It is a disgrace .
Bar the Bull
At the Start
I can see tangible progress that AW racing is improving in the UK. Some people will always moan. People were calling Good Friday a failure before it even started, because the mares' race was weak. Never mind the fact that mares' races everywhere are usually weak (Fairyhouse, Cheltenham, etc.) because of a desire to offer mares the chance to get black type. Never mind some of the excellent horses on show in other races. Never mind the teething problems one can expect given it is the first time out at a new initiative.
Now I don't know enough about the relative merits of Fibresand, Tapeta, dirt, etc. to say whether this move is a masterstroke, a disgrace or whatever. But it strikes me that AW racing is here to stay. It is improving in quality, most notably over the past 6 months, and I think racing powers are on to a good one here.
This winter is the first time I have followed the All-Weather on more than just a cursory basis. The quality of horse, the prize money, the standard of jockey/trainer are all increasing.
I am a jumps man, but there are only so many Tuesday Taunton cards that I can stomach. A quality AW programme, like the one I think we're moving to, will help keep me awake over the winter.
Now I don't know enough about the relative merits of Fibresand, Tapeta, dirt, etc. to say whether this move is a masterstroke, a disgrace or whatever. But it strikes me that AW racing is here to stay. It is improving in quality, most notably over the past 6 months, and I think racing powers are on to a good one here.
This winter is the first time I have followed the All-Weather on more than just a cursory basis. The quality of horse, the prize money, the standard of jockey/trainer are all increasing.
I am a jumps man, but there are only so many Tuesday Taunton cards that I can stomach. A quality AW programme, like the one I think we're moving to, will help keep me awake over the winter.
simmo
Senior Jockey
why on earth would you make a racetrack out of silk?
Apologies for my immoderate post, probably had a glass too many that night. I accept that AW racing has its part to play and, although not my cup of tea, those who follow it are equally entitled to be described as horseracing fans.
Gamla Stan
At the Start
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I've not been on here in ages but I can't let this go as it is utter bollocks. ARC own their fixtures on the whole bar a small percentage and they own the racecourse, they can do what the hell they like as a commercial profit making organisation. Fixtures will be moved from Southwell, Wolverhampton and Lingfield within ARCs portfolio of fixtures so there won't be more AW racing bar the turf fixtures transferred to the Tapeta surface.
The racing at Newcastle will not be detrimental to horsemen, punters or spectators when it's ran on Tapeta. It will instead provide a more consistent surface at a track where drainage is an issue and one which suffers from fluctuating track biases.
It gets me how Northern trainers have been calling for a Northern AW track for years and when they finally get one, they still moan. You cannot please these people.
You also cannot say ARC put endless dross on given the amount they've invested into the AW programme this Winter which was a success in nearly every attribute.
Bar the Bull
At the Start
Agreed, Gamla.
Some people seem to be absolutely dying for the AW winter of improvements to fail. One sniff of an issue (weak mares' finale) and there are catcalls of derision. Never mind the fact that the 3yo winner looks Group class. Excellent sprinters have been running in the sprints all winter and the 1m and 1m2f divisions have been very deep. Grandeur is a very good animal.
Some people seem to be absolutely dying for the AW winter of improvements to fail. One sniff of an issue (weak mares' finale) and there are catcalls of derision. Never mind the fact that the 3yo winner looks Group class. Excellent sprinters have been running in the sprints all winter and the 1m and 1m2f divisions have been very deep. Grandeur is a very good animal.
EC1
On a break
jacamo trousers?:lol:
some people who have no interest in horse racing at all probably think those that do are all saddo's...a bit like you appear to about people who like just one part of horse racing
all you are doing with a post like this is highlighting your blinkered view of who you think follows AW racing in the very same way
i'd be looking at myself and asking why i think like that tbh Ardross
do you think that horse racing should just be run to suit just your own view?
i'm a bit saddened to read on a racing forum where someone expresses a view demeaning other people's interest in a part of a sport we are all supposed to like.
I don't have a problem with the joshing we do re NH v flat ...but not sure its necessary to do it in all seriousness like you have here
can't you just ignore what doesn't interest you?
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:lol:
The attendances at AW racing are very low compared to turf racing . Ido not criticise the improvements made in the winter programme but they were starting from a very low base .
ARC have admitted that they won't do this until they know whether they will get more fixtures . With Chelmsford City now also back in the running unless ARC close Southwell or transfer more Lingfield fixtures to their turf course it means much more AW racing despite the very low demand for it amongst all but the jacamo brigade and bookmakers
Bar the Bull
At the Start
"I do not criticise the improvements made in the winter programme."
Len Madeiros
Rookie
Didn't The Oaks winner, Talent, win on the AW at Kempton? Racing is a-changing.
That is completely different I criticise Newmarket allowing the Craven meeting to wither .
Gamla Stan
At the Start
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There is absolutely no way they will get new fixtures. They have said they are moving fixtures from Southwell, Lingfield and Wolverhampton and converting existing Newcastle flat turf meetings.
How Fred is going to get his hands on fixtures for GL is the interesting one but the BHA won't give any new fixtures out given it's current size.
chroniclandlord
Senior Jockey
Does the changes at Newcastle mean the end of the Northumberland Plate?
Gamla Stan
At the Start
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No the plate will be run on the jumps track. Appropriately for those slow yaks.
Gamla Stan
At the Start
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Disagree, there are plenty of fixtures at ARC tracks to go round and CC can't just take them from ARC. It would be like Virgin just nicking BA's landing slots at Heathrow.
CC need to get their own fixtures from somewhere. No idea where though!!
Loads of the AW fixtures are BHA leaseholds though aren't they ? So Lingfield may take a big hit .