VAAL SAND - THE TRUTH !

My interest in this whole matter would be what qualifications does the track manager have and what training and guidance did he receive? How often are Davis and Diesel down to the Vaal for coaching and assistance? Is the advice of established Vaal trainers sought to assist in the preparation of the track? I know nothing of track preparation but surely these would be the absolute basic management functions in ensuring that the track is well prepared?

Does it suit big owners and big trainers to have poor owners and poor horses running and winning stake money on surfaces that big owners don`t really support? just saying

when there is nowhere for poor horses to run the poorer owners will disapear and the big owners will race against each other, a bit like cape racing

That could take us back to the initial Derby days


The Derby originated at a celebration following the first running of the Oaks Stakes in 1779. A new race was planned, and it was decided that it should be named after either the host of the party, the 12th Earl of Derby, or one of his guests, Sir Charles Bunbury. According to legend the decision was made by the toss of a coin, but it is probable that Bunbury, the Steward of the Jockey Club, deferred to his host.[2] The inaugural running of the Derby was held on Thursday 4 May 1780. It was won by Diomed, a colt owned by Sir Charles Bunbury, who collected prize money of £1,065 15s. The first four runnings were contested over 1 mile, but this was amended to the current distance of 1½ miles in 1784. Lord Derby achieved his first success in the event in 1787, with a horse called Sir Peter Teazle.

1) I am not going to add much here.
2) Whoosh has a lot correct, probably 95% of it. A few details may be over the top. When we do see the track manager he is in PGL's bakkie.
The story on the unwashed sand is a joke. Unwashed sand has more fines, so should be firmer and not loose. ...
3) I do not take calls from unlisted numbers.
4) I would prefer it , Bob, if my name were removed from Whoosh's post.

Is there a future for the Vaal?

The trainers and track manager tried very hard yesterday but seemingly they were over ruled them when they asked to get the track watered during racing.

The Jocks thought the surface was fine early in the meeting (safe) surely with a bit more work the track can only get better?

Looking at the issue from the outside with no inside knowledge, the answer imo depends on whether there is a will among the powers that be to get the track 'right' - and then to keep it 'right' - seems this is going to take a lot of effort / money to firstly get it 'right' and then to keep it 'right'

From what I can gather, the plan is (has always been) to get some sort of synthetic surface in at Turffontein; now again I am no expert, but I would have thought that it will take more effort / money to install and maintain a synthetic surface than it would be the case with the sand - but I could be off the mark. I also don't know what the outcome was of having a synthetic strip (Poly I think) at Randjiesfontein - is it still in use and is it the answer?

What is clear to me is that local racing needs an alternative racing surface in Gauteng - especially in winter - the question has always been what alternative would be best (and also 'value for money' from P's point of view)

Frodo the Irish trainers that run on the poly at Dundalk are complaining that the surface is finished

Wolverhampton recently switched to tapeta from poly

Lingfield relayed the surface last year or so

Poly is probably a more expensive and harder surface to maintain

Just had a message from someone who wishes to remain unnamed

Saying the Trainers at Randje are already complaining about the Randje poly, and the dry winter is no good for poly surfaces in the region

He also said after this years Cup the Vaal closes ( sand )

There could well be truth in the rumours, one of the lads in the rooms is family to the MD of Emerald Casino and he was told they will not be renewing their sponsorship of the cup after 10 years of support.

Bob Brogan wrote: Just had a message from someone who wishes to remain unnamed

Saying the Trainers at Randje are already complaining about the Randje poly, and the dry winter is no good for poly surfaces in the region

He also said after this years Cup the Vaal closes ( sand )

.....well if this is the case with poly at altitude sans rain it therefore cannot be considered at Turffies ....as the whole idea was to see if poly was suitable as a training track at Rantjies and then would be rolled out at PE (I initially thought PE would be problematic as they have some strange weather when they have little or no rain but this is still to happen) so a highveldt polytrack would therefore be a problem... so tearing up the inner turf at the city track is a no go.....so then why close the Vaal sand down after so much money has already been thrown at it.....P is running out of tracks to put out order.....closing the vaal sand will see too much traffic on the city tracks inner and outer and in winter is also not kind to horse nor turf......they gonna have to throw a lot more money at the Vaal or find and build a new track.... :S

Bob Brogan wrote: Just had a message from someone who wishes to remain unnamed

Saying the Trainers at Randje are already complaining about the Randje poly, and the dry winter is no good for poly surfaces in the region

He also said after this years Cup the Vaal closes ( sand )

This is similar to the points that Louis posted on Sporting Post.
The Tapeta in Dubai heat did not fail ............they only changed to dirt to accommodate USA dirt horses!
I would have thought that most conditions have been encountered and solved worldwide,so we need to use that experience,and decide whether Tapeta or Poly is more suitable.
The sand tracks here have definitely not lived up to expectations so need to go IMO,as the only reason for an alternative to turf ,is surely an "all weather" benefit, which our sand has never provided!
Because Poly has not worked well at Randjies to date, is not proof that Poly can't work ,but maybe just that "P" can't manage it(surprise surprise).

Over the Air wrote: There could well be truth in the rumours, one of the lads in the rooms is family to the MD of Emerald Casino and he was told they will not be renewing their sponsorship of the cup after 10 years of support.

Think there is a new sponsor