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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Cherokee Nation returned to the work tab March 14, 15 days after posting a 103 Equibase Speed Figure in a scintillating maiden win at Santa Anita Park. Also on the tab was Journalism. View the full article -
10 years on and where are we? Industry Update | RACE Awapuni Track NZTR and RACE Inc. would like to thank participants, memfor their patience and support during what has been a difficult period for racing at RACE Awapuni. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing | March 11, 2026 Background The RACE Awapuni track had been experiencing performance issues, which ultimately led to a full reconstruction of the surface. After several years of work, the track returned to racing on 25 April 2025. Unfortunately, a slip in the first race resulted in the meeting being abandoned, and there has been no racing at RACE Awapuni since. New to the role, NZTR’s Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty, with the approval of the Board of Directors, engaged independent specialist and internationally respected track adviser Liam O’Keeffe. Given the investment was significant, the decision was made to determine whether the new surface could be remediated to provide a safe and consistent racing surface. A range of initiatives were trialled, including verti-draining and surface treatments designed to soften the track profile. While some progress was made, a further slip some months later during morning gallops confirmed that the surface could not be signed off as safe for racing. The track was proving inconsistent - capable of performing adequately one day and presenting unacceptable risk the next. What Has Been Learned A review of the original project has highlighted a number of challenges in both governance and delivery. Issues relating to design accountability, engineering oversight and overall project coordination contributed to the outcome. In hindsight, additional racecourse construction expertise could have been better integrated into the project. NZTR acknowledges that elements of the original RACE Awapuni track design were not aligned with the performance expectations of a premier racing venue hosting 20+ meetings annually. However, the work completed has not been entirely lost. Key components of the drainage system, irrigation infrastructure and parts of the base profile meet the required standards, meaning elements of the existing investment can likely be incorporated into the long-term solution. Independent Technical Review Following NZTR’s decision in November 2025 that there would be no further racing at RACE Awapuni this season, NZTR engaged Evergreen Turf, the specialists responsible for the successful Hastings track remediation, to undertake a comprehensive independent technical review. Working alongside local track managers, the RACE Inc. Board and NZTR consultant Liam O’Keeffe, Evergreen Turf conducted detailed soil testing, forensic analysis and investigations into suitable sand sources. Evergreen Turf’s technical assessment confirmed that while parts of the existing infrastructure remain sound, the underlying soil profile presents a fundamental constraint to achieving the long-term performance required of a premier racing venue. The Path Forward NZTR and RACE Inc. are now working closely together to determine the most appropriate long-term solution for RACE Awapuni. Planning work is well underway, with both organisations aligned on the need to deliver a track that meets the performance, safety and reliability standards expected of a metropolitan racing venue. Our vision is for RACE Awapuni to become a metro-standard track, capable of hosting racing to the standard expected of a premier venue. The collective objective is to implement a solution that will enable a return to racing at RACE Awapuni by late 2027. Importantly, the independent work undertaken over recent months has significantly improved the industry’s understanding of the site and the technical requirements needed to deliver a high-performing track surface. Looking Ahead While the past year has been frustrating for participants and stakeholders, the work completed has provided the clarity required to move forward with confidence. NZTR remains committed to the long-term future of racing at RACE Awapuni and to ensuring the venue can fulfil its important role within the Central Districts racing landscape. The recent success of the Hastings track remediation demonstrates what can be achieved when specialist racecourse expertise is integrated early into a project. Those learnings will play an important role in shaping the next phase of work at RACE Awapuni. NZTR and RACE Inc. thank the industry for its patience and support as this work progresses. A further update will be provided to the industry once the preferred delivery pathway has been finalised. Issued by the Office of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing 18 Dick Street, Cambridge 3434 Tel: 0800 WINNER (946 637) International: +64 4 576 6240 office@nztr.co.nz -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
A horse with a wicked turn of foot is always dangerous in the lane, and Incredibolt (Bolt d'Oro) showed just how fast he could be late with a dominant score in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. Racing among cover in a tightly bunched field, he watched the pace unfold through an opening sectional in :23.49 and a half-mile in 47.15 with largely no major shifts in position around him. That changed as Lockstocknpharoah (American Pharoah) led them into the final bend behind six panels in 1:11.33, and jockey Jaime Torres urged his charge to improve his position. Begging for racing room, but forced to bide his time, Incredibolt's hole finally opened up along the rail as the longtime leader drifted out to meet mounting challenges, and it was all over from there. Bolting through that open air, he quickly put several lengths on the field late to post a no-doubt-about-it victory. Grittiness (Curlin) was the best of the scramble for the minors while Confessional (Essential Quality) rounded out the trifecta. The final time was 1:47.76. Incredibolt claims 50 Kentucky Derby points with this win. Sales history: $75,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. O-Pin Oak Stud LLC; B-Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM (KY); T-Riley Mott. The post Blink and You Missed Him: Incredibolt Bounds Home to Stylish Virginia Derby Score appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Murray Fish · Posted
Yes! I think that might have been the one! just for the record! I won my share of races! love fighting out those close finishes!!! I am active in my local community around recycling bikes and scooters! Amusingly, the only thing that I actually got from the family estate was the 1962 red scooter! It gets brought out to show how we did it 'old school'!!! It has been taken to 'show something old' day a few times! For the record! The modern ones are 1000% better, brought two at the Police Auction the other day, $10 bid! 11.70 with com... I was happy to find out one of them is a 'real fast' one! I keep to a safe speed on my first go!!! -
By Yes Yes No · Posted
Actually greyhound racing exists in more countries than you think,the only have legal betting in 5 countries
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