- This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 4 years ago by
.
- Posts
… instead of simply removing them from the track prior to the race? This applies not only to Uttoxeter tonight, but to all NH tracks that have bypass one or more hurdles during a race? Of course only if the bypassing has been confirmed before the start of the race.
Is there a rule which states that horses have to leave the track instead of running through the wings with no flights inside them? I hope anyone has a clue where this can be found in the NH rulebook. Otherwise it makes no sense to have horses running over to the chase track in order to complete a race unless it is a stupid written rule.
Probably not enough time, as the decision to bypass is often taken just before the advertised off time. It would also prevent the hurdles being quickly reinstated if cloud cover allowed. Also, for safety reasons, once the flights of hurdles had been removed, the stake holes for each flight of hurdle would have to be filled in to prevent a horse stepping in one of these during the race.
This is obviously done before a NH Flat race, on courses other than Southwell and Worcester. There have been occassions on very heavy ground when runners in NH Flat races have also had to bypass the hurdles, as it was deemed too dangerous to run through the wings for this reason.
Once the holes had been filled, I would think it would take significant time and effort to site the hurdles again in time for races later in the card, where low sun may not be an issue.....and you've got to look a long way back for anything else.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.