BACK UP PLAN FOR KIMBERLEY IN PLACE ?

After last week's debacle one has to ask IS THERE A BACK UP PLAN WITH THE KIMBERLEY BUS ferrying, handlers, jockeys , photographer & odd trainer. we don't need a repeat of this.

Only suggestion I can make at this stage is that a 2nd bus should be on standby & available if necessary - between KIM & JOBURG - Hoogspruit ? I think it is ?

Lastly, lets hope the bus gets there on time & that the weather does not affect the scheduled meeting. Jocks, trainers & owners have lost enough money over the last 10 days through LOST meetings.

during the 80's we raced outside randfontein.
had bookies too..
can restart the practise..

jock's can take the train..
horses too..

a few of the senior jocks, trainers use their OWN transport to Kimberley.Perhaps every car driver should get a subsidy from P to use their own vehicle - providing a min of 4 or 5 passengers are in that vehicle.(remember horses get subsidised to Kimberley )
This way, have MORE private vehicles driving to K, & perhaps then P would need a SMALLER faster ( hopefully reliable ) bus to hire - or better still BUY THEIR OWN.

Lastly, S.A.Airlink used to fly to K, I'm not sure they still do with their recent aircraft grounding.
Has P tried to get a decent block booking with the airline 3 times a month for say 40 - 45 seats ( stipes, officials included ) ?

We all know it costs a sh!t load of money to get all concerned to the track. But what does P loose in turnover / commission by loosing that entire meeting ?
Is it a fact that P is better off financially by NOT staging that meeting. ?

Let me remind ALL that when an owner's horses can no longer pay for their keep every month & that owner has to dig into his/her pocket EVERY MONTH - they soon chuck everything in & are lost to the game FOREVER.

Elvis I think there are many 'quick' fixes available - I'd rather have a more long term solution - If you are aiming to get 'bad' horses to race there and there are owners in Gauteng that will send their horses there (Mr Spies raids every week and I've hardly seen one of his owners being interviewed after a win) the surely an opportunity arises to have a strong transport system in place to encourage Gauteng owners to make the trip. It is also obviously important to get the jocks and officials there safely. Perhaps the answer lies with approaching the horse transport companies and offering them the rights to transport the parties to the track as they already have facilities in place to transport our horses. This situation could turn out to be a positive one - as an owner I think it would be great to ride down on a bus(or fly down) with the jocks and trainers. The trip back could also be fun and perhaps those wanting to stay over at the Casino could do so- Perhaps the Casino could be persuaded to offer deals to owners that wish to stay over for the night? It is really strange to think that a former economic hub of Africa poses such a logistical nightmare to reach in the modern era!!

Nevermind all that Elvis,has Babyelvis got a chance on Sulla with the feather-weight?

Personally I think Nicola's best ride is Mr. Minary.

Tommy you starting a Flamingo thread ? need some inspiration and Funds for Tuesday Night!!

I'll get on it

Morning all, we are on the Vaal river waiting for the bus to go past, will keep you posted but its raining and poor signal

all the best to babyelvis

Backup Plan using the horse floats instead of Bus.

Nicola welsh 5 stake checks from not many more rides. very consistent

Tomorrow, yong elvis is out of her 'time ' long sentence 5 years ! ( 6 years with the injury )