The Vaal Racecourse was presented for racing in a less than satisfactory condition for today’s meeting, with a track inspection undertaken by concerned jockeys and trainers delaying the first.
The Sporting Post has had sight of images and a video clip, showing the track in terrible condition.
The sorry saga of the Vaal track management goes back years and once again we have stakeholders asking for a copy of the O’Connor Commission of Inquiry instituted in October 2018. Simply – we don’t have a copy of the report and don’t have anybody on record as having even seen it.
Then Phumelela CEO John Stuart appointed Andy O’Connor, a former chairman of the NHA, to lead a commission to review the track management systems for Phumelela after repeated track problems surfaced.
According to Stuart at the time, O’Connor’s independence and integrity was above reproach, making him the perfect candidate to lead a team tasked with making recommendations to Phumelela.
Part of O’Connor’s mandate was to investigate track management processes and the ways in which they could and should be improved, to draw up Standard Operational Procedures regarding the implementation of improved track management processes, and to ensure the alignment of the maintenance of training and racing tracks, with the feature race calendar at the various racing courses.
”How is it possible that we have the same problem every year? If I was in charge they would have fired me ages ago,” Vaal-based Andrew Fortune told the Sporting Post earlier today.
In a reference to various patches covered with loose grass, Fortune said it was common sense that loose grass would not simply grow without creating a divot and planting a root.
“I’m afraid it’s another case of the wrong people in the wrong jobs. Why do we keep repeating the same old nonsense year in and year out?” he asked.
He said that the racemeeting would proceed, with jockeys, owners and trainers not wishing to participate, allowed to exercise their right of withdrawal and those jockeys riding having to take care to avoid the bad patches.
“Bills have to be paid. Everybody is under pressure. Some of us don’t have a choice but to race. And then what about Thursday?” he asked saying that the image of the sport had once again suffered due to a lack of management.
