curious

Exactly. Someone/s. In a situation where they can ease if it feels insecure. I don't see any mention of reports from riders who rode the gallops 48 hours out or on race morning?

Was more referring to SA's remark about the Awapuni one being "flipped" but I'm pretty sure that Riccarton last had that contracted work done in November so it is a long 4 months. NZTR told me on 20/3 that the report would be released in days/weeks, so that's certainly been days and now some weeks with AWT racing about to get under way. You'd think they would want stakeholders to have that information by now since it is evidently available.

They have to buy it. The question is, what with? Or, do they have an irrigation bore?

Why are they suddenly doing all this renovation of the AWTs since they got the Massey report 5 weeks ago and why has that not been released to stake holders?

I think the statement is either completely stupid or in error. It should have surely said ' the lack of compaction'?

What? Is that the Awapuni synthetic you mean?

So did I. The statement that "that the incident was most likely caused by the compaction of the surface and how quickly the track dried" is paradoxical and nonsensical imo.

That surely confirms a few stupidities and that Kate was correct? That it required more water, and that it had not been tested at racing speeds with the rail out there and the consequently tighter corner. Worse, the experts had recommended further renovation. Given that and the feedback from riders and trainers, they went ahead and put horses and riders at risk anyway. Tragic.

A statement has been provided regarding Friday's abandonment at Awapuni ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Awapuni Racecourse Track Update A statement from RACE Inc. General Manager Brad Taylor In the wake of the abandoned race meeting at Awapuni Racecourse on Friday, RACE, in conjunction with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), has made the decision to bring forward the planned renovation of the track, with work to commence immediately rather than following the James Bull Rangitikei Gold Cup meeting on May 17. The race meeting was abandoned after Race 1 due to safety concerns arising from a slip on the newly renovated Awapuni track. Brad Taylor, RACE’s General Manager of Racing, expressed the Club’s disappointment at the situation. “We are extremely disappointed with the abandonment of Friday’s race meeting,” Taylor said. “We understand the frustration and disappointment from participants, stakeholders, and fans. However, the safety of both horses and jockeys is paramount, and under the circumstances, we fully support the decision to abandon the meeting.” Taylor explained that the incident was most likely caused by the compaction of the surface and how quickly the track dried between the initial moisture reading at 6:30am and Race 1 at 1:14pm. The moisture reading at 6:30am showed an average of 38%, which was within the target range of 38–40%. After 5mm of irrigation on Wednesday night and 18mm of rain earlier in the week, readings taken on Thursday were 44% at 8:30am and 42% at 3:30pm. Based on these readings, and with a forecast low of 4 degrees, a joint decision was made not to irrigate on Thursday night. Following the abandonment, moisture readings taken in the area of the slip ranged between 29% and 33%. The rail for Friday’s meeting had been moved out six metres, a decision made based on advice from track specialists engaged during the 19-month renovation process and grow in process. “There were two reasons for putting the rail out six metres,” Taylor said. “Firstly, after Verti-Draining, a small area near the 600m mark required repair after a rock was brought to the surface. Secondly, the trials held on April 8 with 13mm of rain caused significant damage to the renovated track leading to the decision to put the rail at 6 metres.” Taylor added that the area where the slip occurred had been subjected to significant use during reconstruction, including a gallop session involving 28 horses on Tuesday morning in preparation for Friday’s scheduled meeting. Following a meeting yesterday between the Club, NZTR, Racing Integrity Board (RIB) representatives, and track specialists Liam O’Keeffe and Callum Brown, an immediate plan of action has been put in place to address the compaction issues. “We are grateful for the advice from the experts as we continue to refine the preparation processes for this new track surface, which differs considerably from the previous Awapuni track,” Taylor said. RACE will now commence renovation works immediately, involving coring, verti-draining, and adding additional sand to the surface — actions originally scheduled after May 17. RACE sincerely apologises for the inconvenience caused and greatly appreciates the support and understanding of the racing community. The Club remains focused and committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes and remains confident in the future of the renovated Awapuni track. Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

What perplexes me is that part of the solution to fixing Ellerslie was to add more sand! If you take a good natural sand based racing surface like Foxton, that has been developed by decades of integrating organic matter. Sheep manure, grass clippings etc. If anyone suggested it would be improved by adding more sand, they'd be run out of town.

More importantly, for the purpose of local accountability, who engaged them?

Personally, I'd prefer both, though I can see and measure the latter myself. But if the rider thinks they need another run, more work, some gate practice, a gear change, to learn to relax more, better footing, an extra furlong, whatever, I'd like to hear that opinion.

I think there were several things wrong at Awapuni. You could see it cutting out and clods flying back going down the back straight. That shouldn't be happening on a G4. It seemed an impossible task last spring to have it ready for autumn racing and it should have had and still should, another 6 months of root development before it is raced on. They've used a part of the track that has had no traffic and been untested at racing speeds. It probably does need more water as Kate said. It took Ellerslie a year to figure that out to stop a very similar sand based track from becoming slippery. That they then put out a patronising news release, taking no responsibility but blaming the "expert advisors", and then say their solution is to do more of the same i.e., follow their further advice, beggars belief.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59a49f93c027d87e465dfb38/t/680a271b9982c4469f5e0da3/1745495849728/Levin+track+'vital+for+safe+preparation'.pdf

To quote the former CEO at a road show "any pot of gold we can find".

Yes. Awapuni a good example. Not till they tore it up did they realise that the drains weren't working.

Nope, nothing to do with NZ racing which is poorly managed and in a disastrous and declining state. It was inspired by horses, people and personal challenge. Go back and read that story again if you found it so meaningful. Cry as much as you like. The only dream that remains for me is to support the welfare of horses and humans involved however I can.

Why do you see that as a negative? I'm offended.

24 heats, 143 horses there today. Where are they going to hold those events? Foxton is already loaded with their trial meetings. Surely not the Awapuni synthetic? We can see today what trainers might think of that idea.

Messara clearly said "Throughout this period, we assume that Foxton, Levin and Opaki continue as training only venues." Who on earth made that decision to the contrary? I've seen nothing about it before.

That's ridiculous but they are obviously getting desperate. Is their a link to sign that petition?

Weird!

Two different communiques?

Meeting News Riccarton Park Synthetic Trials Cancelled Unfortunately, we have not had enough entries for Trials on Wednesday. Thank you for your co-operation as we tried to get these off the ground.