TALKING TRACK RATINGS. A THOROUGHBRED ALLIANCE MEDIA RELEASE TO WHICH PARTICIPANTS WILL REALATE

By HRO | Friday, April 26, 2024

Given the latest precarious state of play with the racetrack surfaces in South East Queensland, the following release has been received from Cameron Partington on behalf of the Thoroughbred Alliance.

'The Thoroughbred Alliance met today to discuss the ongoing concerns the participant associations have with our grass tracks in S.E.Q, highlighted by recent questionable track ratings where downgrades have happened on race-days. These are certainly not isolated instances, It's been an ongoing problem for many years.

‘We fully understand how difficult it is for clubs currently with their grass tracks, battling consistent wet weather causing issues of its own with pests and viruses etc, and the continual over-use of the tracks at times when many deserve a break to recover.

‘Recent recovery time given to SCTC, the delays in the return for GCTC, have put added pressure on our other venues to keep our product moving feeding the racing industry food-chain. We all are extremely sympathetic to our clubs at this time, in what for most is a constant battle to produce a safe racing surface the foremost priority, with limited control over many of the contributing elements.

‘What we believe can be improved, and what is more controllable is the accuracy of our track ratings - information that when provided to the industry has a major bearing on the decision of a trainer/owner to proceed to a race, and just as importantly the decision of a punter to invest into our industry.

'RQ previously employed the services of an independent track walker, who would supervise our Clubs in the obtaining of track rating race mornings, ensuring a rating was as accurate and independent as possible. Clearly this wasn't working as it was removed, but we certainly haven't noticed any significant improvement since, with the recent downgrading of our tracks from the morning rating to the race-day happening all too often. Put simply without rain during the day, any downgrade could only occur by an inaccurate rating in the morning – with, on most occasions, the expectation would be an improvement (upgrade) if anything.

'The rating of a track is certainly not an exact science, and inconsistencies have plagued our industry and those throughout Australia for many years. The change to the 10 point rating system was introduced ten years ago, and if anything we believe has just caused more confusion with too much reliance on numbers, a system that only works if the numbers are consistently and accurately applied. Perhaps it's time to revert back to the simple method of Fast, Good, Dead, Soft & Heavy - taking pressure off those doing the track ratings (currently Clubs) in not having to try and get it perfect, with more of an emphasis on just getting it accurately in the range.

'Comments and information from the curators who know their individual tracks best, could be added to advise industry what their expectations are for the day with sometimes saying nothing being the right answer, acknowledging at times the condition of their tracks for a variety of reasons could be too unpredictable.

'The other suggestion is using the industries most trained and experienced people to inspect and rate the tracks. The same people who just a few hours later take control of the meeting, ensuring the safety and integrity for participants and punters is upheld - our Stewards. Alternately a track walker, supervised by them for regional areas that logistically are difficult to get to early morning on race-days.

'The important point the Alliance wants to make to both RQ & QRIC is the industry deserves better, that's the horse’s connections (owner, jockey, breeder & trainer) along with our very important punters. Take the pressure off the Clubs, allowing them to concentrate on the more important job of presenting tracks to the best of their abilities whilst battling ever changing environmental conditions. With better quality, consistent and independent information, that is accountable to the Stewards who ultimately control the safety & integrity for all participants of our race meetings.

'The Thoroughbred Alliance looks forward to working with both Racing Qld & QRIC, to investigate and consult on this major concern, with the outcome and solutions for the betterment of the industry as a whole.'