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no ya nong, he's the current voted 2025 Longines WORLD"s BEST JOCKEY. for the 3rd time. he ain't crying none. Who the hell wants him on the sidelines? when some of the best horses in the world were awaiting his talent today (Joliestar and Autumn Glory ) that he rode to easy victories with his fine talent. It's only YOU Bawling your eyes out all the time Thommo, like a big baby about whip strikes. wah wah wah . 😭 Its a bloody 500kg animal mate. you ain't gunna hurt the bastard with a floppy little hand whip. I've been whacked by whips from other drivers during a race . it just stuns you into action if anything. just like it does for the horse. gets your concentration up a bit. Some blokes need it in the bedroom too 🤭😉😎

Nice ride by Donnie once he dropped his stick at the 600. He can do it without it. https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202602%2fM6_STHL_R08_140226.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202602%2fM6_STHL_R08_140226.jpg&r=Race 8 - ILT ASCOT PARK HOTEL SOUTHLAND GUINEAS&rs=1

Me too alongside what I saw of the work in progress.

The work was done by Evergreen an Australian outfit, extensive work with many racecourse over there. I would be confident in their ability

Are you keen to be trying out the new 'don't be mean!' laws that have just come in!!

don't worry brodie,its not just hrnz and mr steele who's saying everything is on the rise here. i just watched an interview called campbells comments ,a bloke seemingly well known in australian harness media. According to campbell's comments, new zealand is on the rise and going enormous. then just a few moths ago i heard gordon banks saying the exact same thing on a well known american harness podcast. you know,i listen to people like that and i think to myself,what is wrong with these people.They make out they are clever and obviously they are in some things,but clearly they are not as smart as they think themselves to be.. Its like these people think that way, because hrnz have upped the all these big stake high end races and their bonuses and then they threw some money to the peasants with the harness 5000 concept. I mean,even the dumbest fool should realise that doesn't mean harness racing is on the rise and is going enormous. but no,obviously there are people out there who are just plain dumb as. maybe its an aussie thing as well. You know,the dumbest person in the world with numbers could have run things and boosted stakes, with all the money they got from the entain deal. why that makes anyone think that equates to the industry being on the rise and going enormous,is beyond comprehending.. anyway,If you want an example of what happens when stake money is slashed,then look at the stats i posted about the victotrian harness racing industry,from their annual report in august last year. every indicator for victorian harness was looking bad. every single one from number bred, to turnove,r to numbers of industry participants,etc. as to the victorian sales,melbourne apg 2024,from the 111 offered,78 sold for an average$25,731. In 2025from the 60 offered 47 sold for and average of $17202. the melbourne nutrien 2024. From the 200 offered,126 sold for an average of $32,496,while in 2025,from the 147 offered, 108 sold for an average of $31,894. So the average dropped significantly in 1 sale and just a little in the other,but obviously there was roughly a 25% reduction in numbers was a factor in masking the level of the decline.i its just common sense and logic,that if the stakes do have to be cut in nz in a couple of years,the same trends will play out here. you mention this years nz yearling sales.My guess will be things will still play out ok. I if numbers offered here have been reduced that will artifically mask any decline anyway. Most likely the top end will still sell well and the bottom end struggle. also,so many people that are still remaining in nz harness racing only think of next year,not the 5 years time when their horses that are being bred and purchased will be racing. everything that happens in nz harness racing in 2 or 5 years will be self inflicted. Now whether it be self inflicted small reductions or self inflicted large reuctions,it doesn't change that its self inflicted. People in nz harness racing are going to get the econominc circumstances that they,themselves have participated in creating. No one shoukld ahve any sympathy for anyone in nz harness racing if tough times do fall on particiapnts in yera sto come.I certainly wouldn't have any. Now obviously, we all hope its not too bad,but many of us think it will be reductions in everything. Personally i still think their are still some factors that will mitigate it turning really bad,but its inevictable it will be reductions. the scale of any reductions is the unknown factor but it will become evident in the next year or so once the greyhounds are gone and the first year of geo blocking has played out with the impact of that being better known. ll.l Then you have the current decison of hrnz to anchor the rest of nz harness to the syrvival of harness rwacing at aleaxandra park and the inpact of that .. As to turnover figures you mention,transparency seems mostly applied when they want to promote good confidence building news. We are always hearing media say,turnoverts are up. But as i have said before,any fool should be able to work out,even if income does happen to be up,if you spending at a greater rate then you eat into your cash reserves. So these people who tell us turnovers are mathmatically stupid. And tyhey are right. Many people actually are.But not everyone is.

It is going to be very interesting to see how the yearling sales go this year? There is less horses going through the sales than what there used to be in Christchurch so figures may hold up pretty well! However you would have to wonder whether there are going to be enough buyers prepared to pay the big money for a yearling that wont be racing for a couple of years? There is no doubt whatsoever that these horses when they race will be racing for stakes that are going to be significantly less than what they are currently racing for! How much less would only be a guess, but unless things change and they start to manage things properly, I would not be surprised if stakes were half What they are now! HRNZ need to be speaking to the TAB and get them to be encouraging wagering rather than restricting it badly or things are not going to be flash! Interesting times indeed!

With the weather closing in again towards the tail end of a memorable Matamata Breeders’ Stakes day, it was left to durable stayerDiamond Jak (NZ)(Jakkalberry) to add some further sparkle to proceedings as he bolted away with the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m). The enigmatic seven-year-old has proven a head scratcher at times for trainer Mark Brosnan, often ruining his chances with a tardy getaway from the starting gates. On his day however he is a force to be reckoned with and Saturday was his day as he relished the Heavy9 underfoot conditions to race clear in the home straight after dictating the pace throughout for rider Rory Hutchings. Hutchings had the son of Jakkalberry away swiftly to head the six-horse field after just 200m and once allowed his own way in front it was evident his mount would be hard to peg back. Eventual runner-up He’s A Doozy (NZ) (Zacinto) tried his heart out in the run home but there was no stopping Diamond Jak as he maintained a powerful gallop to collect his ninth career victory and first at stakes level. Brosnan was pleased with his charge leading into the race and when the track came up a Heavy9 it played into his hands even more. “That was very satisfying as once the rain came I knew he was a good chance,” Brosnan said. “He needed the run the other day and although I wasn’t going to come here, once it rained I decided to run him. “I told Rory to be positive out of the gates and although he was a little more positive than I thought he would be, it worked for him.” Brosnan will now have to decide where to head next with his charge as his aim had been the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on 7 March at Ellerslie, but owner Gary Hodel had talked him out of that plan. “I honestly don’t know where to now as I had him nominated for the Auckland Cup, but my owner talked me into pulling him out,” he said. “I don’t know where to go now so we will have to take a look around.” Hutchings, who had employed similar tactics when winning aboard My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High) in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) earlier in the day, was keen on his chances when track conditions came up in the Heavy range. “He got the track to suit today and when I was able to hold the top (lead), that was the difference between winning and losing,” he said. “He was a rock-hard fit stayer and I was able to put the pressure on early and maintain a strong gallop. “He built through his gears and was strong through the line.” Bred and owned by Gary and Linda Hodel, Diamond Jak has now won eight of his 40 starts and over $349,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Trainer Sophie Price put aside her regular Clerk of the Course duties at Invercargill on Saturday to watch her promising three-year-old fillyHello Hayley (NZ)(Hello Youmzain) take out the Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1400m) at Ascot Park on Saturday. Price, who prepares a small team from her Winton stable, has had the daughter of Hello Youmzain in her team since late last year after she had one run for Karaka-based trainer Lance Noble. Successful second up at Ascot Park, Hello Hayley then finished sixth in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui before producing another game effort for fourth behind race-rival Luna Capella (NZ) (Tivaci) over 1200m a month ago. Rider Donovan Cooper was prepared to play a waiting game with Hello Hayley as he allowed her to find her feet in the early rush and was still last of the 14 runners with a little under 600m to run. Cooper and Hello Hayley stuck hard up against the running rail turning for home and when the gaps opened up she barged through and quickly sprinted clear to defeat her last-start nemesis, Luna Capella by a neat length at the line. Price had a smile a mile wide as she described the juggling act she goes through when she has runners in on a raceday that she is officiating at, especially as she was returning from a painful leg injury. “That was very impressive, even though I did think she was a little underdone,” Price said. “She’s a good wee girl. “I thought we might have won the Gore Guineas and maybe this field might have been a bit too tough for her. “Blinkers on and she has got the job done and they have definitely improved her. “I watched the race from the corner (home bend) as it can be pretty tough and especially today as it is my first day back after rupturing my calf muscle. “The other clerk, Sarah Beck, has been riding her for me so she has done a good job with her. “It’s just wonderful to win as this is for a great group of owners who will be having a lot of fun.” Cooper was also full of praise for the effort of his mount. “It was absolutely massive (the victory) as I thought I would take her back today because I knew there might be a little bit of carnage early on,” he said. “We got to bide our time before I asked the question at the 600m, where I actually dropped my stick (whip), but boy was she tough and what acceleration she has got. “I definitely think the blinkers on played a big part as she was a lot more focussed and she is pretty exciting.” Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, Hello Hayley is out of the Thorn Park mare Hayley Grace (NZ) and is closely related to multiple Group One winner Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle). She has now won two of her six starts and just under $100,000 in prize money. View the full article

A heady front-running ride from Rory Hutchings helped underrated mare My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High) bounce back to winning form in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) on her home track at Matamata on Saturday. Heavy rain in the previous 24 hours had a major effect on proceedings as runners on the day were faced with a testing Heavy9 surface that had many struggling to make ground in the final stages of their races. Hutchings took the bull by the horns to put the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared daughter of Ace High in front from barrier rise as they dictated affairs ahead of the well-fancied Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor), who sat on their heels throughout. Although unsighted since finishing midfield at Ellerslie in November last year, My Lips Are Sealed was travelling powerfully turning for home and she never looked like stopping as she held out the late challenges of Our Jumala (NZ) (Zed), Mary Shan and Lux Libertas (NZ) (Almanzor) to claim her second victory at stakes level and the fifth of her career to date. Bergerson admitted that while the team had been rueing the rain that had arrived on Friday, making track conditions tough for most of their runners, he was confident that if My Lips Are Sealed was near her best, she would tough to beat. “She was the one of our team in on the day that I felt would really handle the underfoot conditions,” Bergerson said. “She put in a sparkling effort 12 months ago when running third behind Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) in this race and I just thought if she was back to somewhere near her best she would be a good chance. “She had been disappointing in the Spring and we were wondering if she was telling us it might be the right time to become a mum, but she freshened up nicely and she showed her true class today.” Bergerson was quick to commend the ride by Hutchings who took the initiative to put the mare in front which hadn’t been the pre-race plan. “We had a good chat with Rory before the race and he said he would probably ride her two or three pairs back and then make a run,” he said. “He (Hutchings) said she jumped so well and was so keen he decided to go forward and put the pressure on and that paid dividends as she never looked like getting caught. “As long as she gets through the race well we might look at the Cuddle Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) at Trentham for her next, but we won’t make those sort of decisions until we have had a chance to see how she pulls up.” Co-bred by Rich Hill Stud, who offered her in Book 1 at Karaka in 2022, the mare was purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $160,000. Raced by the Te Akau Not A Word Racing Partnership she has now had 22 starts for five wins, four placings and earned $264,710 in stakes. View the full article

Te Akau Racing continued their golden run in the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Saturday when recording their fifth consecutive victory in the race courtesy ofLara Antipova(Russian Revolution). The daughter of Russian Revolution was impressive when winning on debut at Te Aroha in November for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and once again in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham a month later, and was well-supported by punters in her fresh-up run on Saturday, backed into a $1.20 favourite. From her outside draw, Lara Antipova had a fair bit of speed inside her, but jockey Opie Bosson let his charge balance up and soon sent her forward to capture the lead from the 900m mark. Te Encuentro (Frankel) and Hawea (Hellbent) loomed up alongside her rounding for home, but Bosson pushed the go button at the top of the straight and Lara Antipova quickly bounded away, improving her advantage with every stride, eventually running out a 3-1/4 length victor over Te Encuentro, with a further three-quarters of a length back to Hawea in third. “She is a very special filly,” Bosson said. “She wasn’t 100 percent in the ground and she had a bit of a stumble turning in but that actually made her pick the bit up a bit more and she got up underneath me, she is pure class. “She was a little bit fresh and a little bit keen early in the running, but with that run under her belt she is only going to improve.” The Matamata Breeders’ Stakes has been a great springboard for previous stable winners, with Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy), Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) and La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) all going on to win at elite-level, and that’s the goal with Lara Antipova. She will get that opportunity at her next start in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day, which Te Akau won last year with Return To Conquer (Snitzel), who will join Waikato Stud’s stallion roster this coming breeding season. “She is a very good filly,” Walker said. “The next port of call will be the Sistema and then all going well and she was still 100 percent, you would consider going over to Australia. We do think a lot of her. “It is great for John and Jessica (Galvin) and the Fortuna team to have another nice one.” Lara Antipova was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, in conjunction with Fortuna Racing, for A$100,000 out of Vinery Stud’s 2025 Magic Millions Gold Cost Yearling Sale draft. Her prominence extends the great run of success the two entities have shared over the last few years, which includes the likes of 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and Group One performer Bellatrix Star (Star Witness). Lara Antipova has won all three of her career starts to date and has earned more than $240,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Flemington has been a happy hunting ground for New Zealand-bred mare Tarvue (NZ) (Tarzino), who produced another big performance at the Melbourne track in Saturday’s A$80,000 TAB We’re On (2000m). The Benchmark 78 handicap was Tarvue’s fifth start at Flemington. She has now won twice at the course, having also been successful over 1800m on New Year’s Day, and she was a narrowly beaten second over 2500m on January 17. Little went Tarvue’s way when she finished a last-start sixth at Caulfield on January 31, but the John Sadler-trained mare returned to Flemington on Saturday and got her campaign back on the right track. Tarvue was ridden by apprentice jockey Luke Cartwright and took up a handy position in sixth along the rail behind a strong early speed. Cartwright got the five-year-old off the fence coming down the side of the track, then swooped around the outside to challenge for the lead at the top of the home straight. Tarvue went clear by a couple of lengths with more than 300m still to run, then found a little bit more to turn back the challenge of the late-finishing Fiorenot (Fiorente) by a length. Cartwright was pleased to make amends after riding Tarvue at Caulfield last time out. “Very happy,” Cartwright said. “I know what ability this horse has got. I sat on her at Flemington here and she won, and then her run for second over 2500m, that was another gallant effort. At Caulfield, I just made a mistake on her. I can’t thank the ownership group and John Sadler enough for keeping me on the mare, because I know she goes really good. Today it worked out perfect, she had a nice draw, wasn’t cluttered up and I was able to let her use her big stride from about the 700m. “When she’s able to use her big stride, she can let her really good turn of foot go. Sads has got a good staying mare on his hands.” Sadler is now keen to test Tarvue in black-type company. “I would say we’ll go to the Torney Cup (Listed, 2500m), the Moonee Valley race at Pakenham (on March 6),” he said. “Apart from her very first run this time in, all her runs have been really good. I thought Luke rode her very badly at Caulfield last Saturday week and then he came out and won three afterwards, but he put his hand up and said he shouldn’t have allowed her to get in on the fence, or should have led in what was a mediocre-pace race. That’s gone, we put him back on, and he got the job done.” Tarvue was bred by Rosemont Stud and is by Westbury Stud’s Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) winner Tarzino, who has quickly made his name as a sire of classic horses – such as Derby winners Jungle Magnate (NZ) and Willydoit (NZ) and Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess (NZ) – but has also been represented by this season’s twice Group One-placed sprinter Tomodachi (NZ). The dam of Tarvue is the Japanese-bred Admire Moon mare Vamoose, a half-sister to the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Admire Rakti (Heart’s Cry). Mapperley Stud offered Tarvue in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, where Vue International Pty Ltd bought her for $25,000. Tarvue has now had 19 starts for five wins, three second placings and A$239,200 in stakes. View the full article

Waikato Stud stallion Banquo recorded his first stakes win as a sire on Saturday and fittingly achieved it with a son carrying the farm’s colours, on their home track for their private trainer Kris Shailer. Bred by the Matamata farm,Justin Case (NZ)is out of Group Two-winning mare Do Ra Mi (NZ) (Savabeel), and is a half-brother to Group Three performer Hanger (NZ) (O’Reilly). The two-year-old gelding was being prepared for last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale by Ohukia Lodge, but was withdrawn, and Waikato Stud, alongside Ohukia Lodge principal and part-owner Jamie Beatson, have benefited from that decision. Following a runner-up effort on debut at Pukekohe in November, Shailer set a course for Saturday’s Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m), a race he won with Alabama Gold (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) four years ago when training in partnership with Stephen Autridge. Justin Case showcased his progression when winning over 1100m at Matamata last month, and Shailer was confident of another bold showing in his first tilt at stakes-level this weekend. With a deluge of rain overnight, the field reduced to just four runners, with Justin Case jumping a $4.20 second elect behind Group Two winner Kinnaird (Home Affairs). Justin Case launched out of the gates under jockey Samantha Collett and made a beeline to the front from his outside barrier. The Te Akau Racing pair of Kinnaird and Out Of The Blue (NZ) (Tivaci) loomed ominously turning for home, but Justin Case kicked again and quickly opened up on his rivals, going on to score by 5-3/4 lengths over Out Of The Blue, with a further long neck back to King Of The Air (Acrobat) in third. “He was very smart in what ended up a small field,” Collett said. “There was still a fair bit of quality there and he had to take that next step up from clearing maidens here. “I am not convinced that the wet track is really ideal for him. He is still untapped and is an exciting horse. What impressed me the most is that he has come here on his home track and handled the occasion and put them away like he did.” Shailer was rapt with the result, which extended his standout season to four wins from five starts. “That’s awesome,” he said. “I am so stoked for the whole Waikato Stud team – Garry and Mark (Chittick) – and Jamie Beatson who owns half of him. “This was the plan back in November, after he ran second at Counties we said we would put him away for a couple of weeks and give him a bit of a reset and target him for this race. “I wasn’t too sure what he was going to be like on the really heavy ground. I really want to see him on top of the ground because I know he can run a bit of time, but that was dominant. “He is a pretty laidback customer, he does everything on his own, he never works in company and has come to the races on his own, he is a cool horse.” The Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day now looms as an obvious target, but Shailer said he will let the dust settle before making any concrete plans. “It (Sistema Stakes) is on the mind,” he said. “We will see how he comes through this and then make a plan.” Banquo, a son of Written Tycoon, was a stakes winner on the track himself, winning the Listed Springtime Stakes (1400m) for trainer Danny O’Brien, and was also runner-up in the Gr.2 Bobby Lewis Quality (1200m), Gr.2 Autumn Stakes (1400m), and Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m). View the full article

It is an intriguing day of racing at Sha Tin on Saturday, with plenty of Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) contenders on show alongside some smart sprinters in the feature Class Two TVB Cup (1,200m). There are 10 races on the card and Owen Goulding is in the hot seat to provide an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Four TVB Lok Sin Tong Charity Corner Handicap (1,200m) Vigor Eye has run well in all three starts this season and should have an easier time out in front from stall five. He...View the full article

They can, but that hasn't proved very reliable before, and galloping, jump outs and trials, do not fully approximate horses under pressure at racing speeds.

True. But they can test before they gallop on it.

Be nice to know all the figures, many of the pools(exotics) are all mostly tote but fixed odds figures ain't about turnover, it's profit, if there is any. Reality is just don't think harness racing is a popular as it used to be. I should add the few racing in small fields, good stakes, are probably doing very well, for now.

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk “No stranger to travelling,” accomplished junior driver Emily Johnson heads south this weekend as the annual Revell Douglas Memorial Series heads towards its conclusion. On Sunday she’ll drive at Motukarara for the first time, in Heat 5 of the series (3.14pm) knowing she is second in the series, just seven points behind leader Harrison Orange, who is not driving at the meeting. “I am keen to have a good go at it and it will be good experience to drive there,” says Johnson. And Johnson looks to be a good chance in the race. She will drive impressive last start winner My Wingman ($7FF) for trainer Brent Borcoskie. “His last two runs have been pretty nice,” says Johnson. He has also drawn the ace over 2000m. “I think he’s quick enough off the arm and should hold his own .. hopefully I can get a couple of points.” So far the Waikato-based Johnson has had four wins this year including winning Heat 2 of the Series at Hawera with Melton Mogul. “I’m no stranger to travelling,” she laughs. She has 37 points (with Orange at 46) in the Series , after missing Heat 4 at Methven last weekend. Initially Johnson thought she’d be driving the Greg Payne-trained Nasana in Sunday’s heat. “But it was too low in the points and there were too many nominated,” says Johnson. Instead she link up with that horse up in Race 12, the Seahorse Supplements Mobile Pace (5.44pm). They have drawn one (again) and are rated a $12 chance. The final two Revell Douglas heats will be held at Cromwell on February 20 and 22. First held in 2022, the series is held in memory of the late Revell Douglas who tragically drowned at Karioitahi Beach in 2021. The four winners of the series so far have been Seth Hill (2025), Wilson House (2024), Leah Hibell (2023) and Alicia Harrison (2022). To see Sunday’s Revell Douglas field click here View the full article

I've heard of turf responding to aeration but not to compaction damage. And then almost no growth period recovery time before more significant racing? Seems hasty to me. I'd at least give it the full spring for root development and test it for racing in the summer.

I just turned the tele on to watch the 2YO race at Matamata. There's a hairy gorilla providing the odds.....fair dinkum......ten chins and a shirt that he wore at boarding school, and kept as a souvenir. And to add to the totally unprofessional image being projected, there a thick mat of hair growing through the shirt. I nearly threw up over the screen. I'll bet you $10 there's a couple of year old cream donuts and some rotting Big Macs under each arm pit. For fark's sake..........lift your game.

Does anyone know what the betting figures are for harness at the moment? Are any harness meetings actually making money? Why do they not advise us of the money being put on fixed odds on every meeting, compared to the tote pools? There is no way on earth they are making money on many meetings with what is going through the tote!!!! Last night at Auckland there were tote pools on both win and place for the whole of NZ that was less than what a single household would spend on their mortgage or food bill for a week!! One race had a bit over $400 in the win pool with a couple of minutes to go! When the stakes are $17k or more this is a total recipe for disaster, but we are told things are positive?? Anyway must still be plenty of Entain money left for another couple of years and we must be in safe hands, so all is good!

After finishing as the leading earner of any North American-trained horse in 2025 when earnings in the Middle East are included, Hit Show will chart a familiar path when he opens his 6-year-old season Feb. 14.View the full article

Well it looks like they are taking a step by step process to get to racing and then no racing in June and July until late August. The jumpout, then trial then race seems sensible with the pin being able to be pulled at any stage. The galloping will consolidate but also encourage new root growth as the turf responds to damage during the autumn when grass grows best.

Totally. Good system I think but if it were me, I'd be giving the relaid 50mm turf at least the winter and spring for root development for it to bind with and secure the underlying soil.

The difference is they say they used "soil" not sand and they relaid existing turf that was 50mm in depth already. So the grass had a head start rather than being sown as seed directly or as new turf laid.