Trainers attending race meetings???

Their seems to be a trend for trainers to send their assistant or other person to act on their behalf.

As a owner is it not part of the experience to enjoy the days racing speaking with the trainer not just some worker?

Whenever my horses run I do at times prefer to speak to the groom. In many instances the groom knows more about the horse than the trainer, especially if you have an ordinary horse and the yard has plenty of "better" horses.

It appears to be common practice to send out the assistant trainer to the VAAL especially.... it is a damn long way from Joburg.

Let's be fair, the OFFICIAL TRAINER can not be at each & every meeting....especially when they only have 1 or 2 runners on the card..... they also need time off.... they also play golf !

I have no problem with this personally, in my racing set up they are really nice guys ( Daryn ? you owe me one.... a double and you too Adrian )

What do the grooms normally say?

Trainers like to be interviewed by the tv stations prior to the race and some of them pass on very good info..like if the horse is ready or just out for a run..what going they like..most trainers in the UK are very informative regarding the well being of the horse.