Chief Stipe Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 NZTR’s Chief Operating Officer, Darin Balcombe, and Head of Tracks and Infrastructure, Tim Lambert, would like to provide an update on the track issues experienced in the past week and the expected Return to Racing for those venues. Hastings Racecourse Following the partial abandonment on Thursday 25 January, an investigation has taken place, considering information from the Racing Integrity Board (RIB), Hawke’s Bay Racing Inc. and an independent report from NZSTI. After reviewing the reports, NZTR can confirm that the the 18 February meeting will be scheduled to be held at the venue, as programmed. Jumpouts were held on the day following races, but the identified area was coned off to alleviate any concerns. The main concern raised on the day was with the consistency of the track where old hoof holes were ‘blowing out’ during the race meeting on Thursday 25 January. These holes have been addressed post-raceday and with good growing conditions in Hawke’s Bay, the track will have enough time to bed in. Before the meeting scheduled for 18 February, horses will be required to gallop over the ‘problematic area’ that was identified 12 metres off the rail. RACE Trentham Following an investigation regarding the Trentham partial abandonment on Saturday 27 January, NZTR are working with the Club to find solutions to the area that is currently unable to be irrigated. The incident that occurred on raceday was outside the irrigation line, on a much harder surface. After 10mm of rain Saturday morning, this created a vulnerable surface out wide, which resulted in ZACKERY slipping in Race 4, near the 600-metre mark. NZTR will continue to monitor the situation at Trentham over the next couple of weeks, to ensure the best possible outcome for the industry for the March 9 raceday. As always, the ability to provide a safe racing surface will be at the forefront of any decisions that are required to be made. If appropriate solutions to this area cannot be found, NZTR will assess the pending programme and venues and may look for alternate venues, to ensure race meetings can take place safely. The inside six metres of the track has been renovated and the rail will return to the true position for Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks Raceday on Saturday 16 March which will negate the issue of the area rounding the turn. Ellerslie Racecourse Immediately after Saturday’s race meeting at Ellerslie where some Jockeys experienced movement after 3mms of rain fell during the race meeting, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) undertook a review which included Frank Casimaty from Strathayr. From that review, it was identified that a thick layer of roots had caused the issues experienced, it was agreed that Jason Fulford, Track Manager for ATR, would use appropriate machinery this week to break down that thick layer of roots just below the surface to ensure the horses get a better purchase on the track. Following the completion of this machinery work, jumpouts will be held at Ellerslie for Auckland based horses. The jumpouts are scheduled for Monday, 12 February. If you have any questions, pleae do not hesitate to reach out to us below. Darin Balcombe Chief Operating Officer Darin.Balcombe@nztr.co.nz Tim Lambert Head of Tracks and Infrastructure Tim.Lambert@nztr.co.nz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted February 2 Author Share Posted February 2 1 minute ago, Chief Stipe said: Ellerslie Racecourse Immediately after Saturday’s race meeting at Ellerslie where some Jockeys experienced movement after 3mms of rain fell during the race meeting, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) undertook a review which included Frank Casimaty from Strathayr. From that review, it was identified that a thick layer of roots had caused the issues experienced, it was agreed that Jason Fulford, Track Manager for ATR, would use appropriate machinery this week to break down that thick layer of roots just below the surface to ensure the horses get a better purchase on the track. Following the completion of this machinery work, jumpouts will be held at Ellerslie for Auckland based horses. The jumpouts are scheduled for Monday, 12 February. I don't think so. If there was a thick layer of roots why was the track "shifty"? I'll go have a look at the track tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: I don't think so. If there was a thick layer of roots why was the track "shifty"? I'll go have a look at the track tomorrow. It's a mystery to me that the thick layer of roots wasn't evident in the core sampling even if they did that on the Monday, not the day before like they were supposed to? That layer didn't develop in 5 days. Something doesn't add up. And why did that happen? Must be some more fundamental problem if the root zone has amassed so shallowly. Temporary fix may work for now but it's clearly not the panacea track that it was mooted to be. Edited February 2 by curious 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 How will the mesh inlaid react to 'machinery breaking down the thick layer ..' ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted February 2 Author Share Posted February 2 55 minutes ago, curious said: It's a mystery to me that the thick layer of roots wasn't evident in the core sampling even if they did that on the Monday, not the day before like they were supposed to? That layer didn't develop in 5 days. Something doesn't add up. And why did that happen? Must be some more fundamental problem if the root zone has amassed so shallowly. Temporary fix may work for now but it's clearly not the panacea track that it was mooted to be. 16 minutes ago, Freda said: How will the mesh inlaid react to 'machinery breaking down the thick layer ..' ? Nothing to do with any of that. Plain and simple - irrigation. Water Budget. I'd love to manage that track. So easy as you have a standard soil system/structure and you can measure water in and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 It's everything to do with that according to the report, though irrigation management may have been the cause of the problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Opie Bosson and Sam Weatherley can't have ridden over these areas in their prior staged ride around. Their opinions don't count for much now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Add New Plymouth to the number of dodgy tracks out there. Following race 7 today as per the stipes report 'Several riders expressed concern regarding the shifting nature of the track which appeared to be deteriorating throughout the day . Stewards convened a meeting with riders and club officials, with all participant's agreeing to continue racing.' The common theme throughout the day including beaten fav Tshiebwe in the last was "failed to handle track conditions" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted February 3 Author Share Posted February 3 9 hours ago, Wingman said: Add New Plymouth to the number of dodgy tracks out there. Following race 7 today as per the stipes report 'Several riders expressed concern regarding the shifting nature of the track which appeared to be deteriorating throughout the day . Stewards convened a meeting with riders and club officials, with all participant's agreeing to continue racing.' The common theme throughout the day including beaten fav Tshiebwe in the last was "failed to handle track conditions" To be fair to New Plymouth they had a couple of monster showers mid-meeting. Also just after scratch time early in the morning they had 10mm in an hour on top of 18mm over night. Not many tracks could cop that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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