Chief Stipe Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 28 minutes ago, Special Agent said: If you think known kick back is okay, good on you. No I don't nor do I think the primse cause - pure sand based turf tracks are any good either!! Hercocks answer BTW is to water the shyte out of them so they are permanently soft and presumably no kickback!! Well that's not the case at Ellerslie is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 18 minutes ago, Assange said: I thought a lot of his explanation on Weigh In was a lot of techno speak without a lot of understanding. Suggesting watering the night before races? We have experts on tracks. We have experts on horses. There seems to be a lack of communication between the two. Watering them during the night before the races is what Ellerslie does to keep the "new" customised Strathayr raceable. It is costing them a fortune in irrigation with up to 35 to 40mm required each time. I hope the hell when they renovate Hastings they don't go down this sand path!!! BTW @Special Agent when was the last time Hastings could truly be considered a Premier Track? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 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. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago Thank you Curious. That is, in a nutshell, what many of us "nameless" "faceless" people are trying to say. Now backed by the statistics that seem so crucial to some. As for the hammering of tracks, ask anyone who rode at Waverley whether they think tracks have been hammered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 4 minutes ago, curious said: That surely confirms a few stupidities and that Kate was correct? That it required more water I thought wet sand was more compact than dry sand? Don't you train horses on the beach @curious? 10 minutes ago, curious said: Taylor explained that the incident was most likely caused by the compaction of the surface and how quickly the track dried 11 minutes ago, curious said: After 5mm of irrigation on Wednesday night and 18mm of rain earlier in the week, For a start that puts to bed the myths flying around that there was NO water applied. So 23mm of water leading up to the raceday wasn't enough? When evaporation rates were low? Has Awapuni got a pond or is there a natural spring near by? The water rates bill might become expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 2 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: I thought wet sand was more compact than dry sand? Don't you train horses on the beach @curious? 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westbrew Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago Ok so here is the million dollar question, 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. 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. Are Liam O'Keeffe and Callum Brown the track specialists engaged for the renovation process??? If so they are the same ones who advised the track was good to go with the rail out 6m, and now they are providing another plan of action really???? 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. Come on so this is the first track of its type in NZ really???? they need to refine the preparation process for this new surface so what are the track experts, experts in if they are refining the process as they go really??? Read between the lines RACE revenue was way down with no racing on their track, ANZAC day is usually a reasonable day for them, so they thought they would kick off racing before the track had compacted properly, 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.” THE TRIALS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE RENOVATED TRACK with 13mm of rain. I have been around the corporate world long enough to know this release is corporate spin of the worst kind, just own up RACE, NZTR and RIB you all decided to have a crack at racing before the track was fully ready. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago Do you think the amount of water required was factored into the new surface? How much water do you think is required to maintain the synthetic? Did you know the synthetic is due to be flipped? Don't worry about Trentham, the sale of Levin is required to maintain Awapuni. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assange Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 29 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Watering them during the night before the races is what Ellerslie does to keep the "new" customised Strathayr raceable. It is costing them a fortune in irrigation with up to 35 to 40mm required each time. I hope the hell when they renovate Hastings they don't go down this sand path!!! BTW @Special Agent when was the last time Hastings could truly be considered a Premier Track? But the track @ Awapuni isnt like Ellerslie's is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 3 minutes ago, Special Agent said: Thank you Curious. That is, in a nutshell, what many of us "nameless" "faceless" people are trying to say. Now backed by the statistics that seem so crucial to some. But the numbers don't add up. You've trained horses at the beach? Where was the firmest ground with the most compaction? 4 minutes ago, Special Agent said: As for the hammering of tracks, ask anyone who rode at Waverley whether they think tracks have been hammered. Which meeting? Are you going to say ALL of them? Of course no one wants to run on the AWT's. Ironically Waverley got a Woodville meeting because the latter couldn't put enough water on their track! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 2 minutes ago, Special Agent said: Did you know the synthetic is due to be flipped? What? Is that the Awapuni synthetic you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 3 minutes ago, westbrew said: THE TRIALS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE RENOVATED TRACK with 13mm of rain. I have been around the corporate world long enough to know this release is corporate spin of the worst kind, just own up RACE, NZTR and RIB you all decided to have a crack at racing before the track was fully ready. How many times do I have to reiterate the track at Awapuni may be the best in CD? But, not now. IT NEEDS TIME!! You have pointed out that there are people responsible. What does everyone think should happen to all or some of those people? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 7 minutes ago, curious said: 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. I agree. Deja vu aka Ellerslie. Time isn't going to fix this if the fundamental problem is too much sand in the profile. I see they are talking about putting MORE sand on it. The irony - CD Trainers don't want to race on the AWT's but now they have an AWT with green grass on top! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 1 minute ago, curious said: What? Is that the Awapuni synthetic you mean? Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 3 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: But the numbers don't add up. You've trained horses at the beach? Where was the firmest ground with the most compaction? I think the statement is either completely stupid or in error. It should have surely said ' the lack of compaction'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 5 minutes ago, Assange said: But the track @ Awapuni isnt like Ellerslie's is it? Seems to have all the same issues with one exception and that is the higher moisture % readings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 2 minutes ago, Special Agent said: How many times do I have to reiterate the track at Awapuni may be the best in CD? But, not now. IT NEEDS TIME!! Time may not be enough if there is a fundamental problem with the soil (sand) profile they chose. The corrective actions they are taking sound exactly like Ellerslie - mechanical intervention and irrigate heaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 5 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: But the numbers don't add up. You've trained horses at the beach? Where was the firmest ground with the most compaction? Which meeting? Are you going to say ALL of them? Of course no one wants to run on the AWT's. Ironically Waverley got a Woodville meeting because the latter couldn't put enough water on their track! I don't care about numbers and stats. Did you not notice a race meeting was canned after one race at Awapuni? Now RACE are admitting the mistakes. How lucky were they no one or horse was hurt? Have a look at Easter Monday's meeting at Waverley. Like you say the meeting was thrust upon the club. The track was a mess and the Caretaker did an amazing job to run races at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 2 minutes ago, curious said: I think the statement is either completely stupid or in error. It should have surely said ' the lack of compaction'? But if there was lack of compaction then how would a horse slip? As I said earlier the horse lost its footing a the turf carpet square floating on the sand. Probably the same "surface tension" problem as Ellerslie as well!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago So, nobody learns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago Gee Chief, the farmer, tractor and sheep look pretty good now. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 2 minutes ago, Special Agent said: Have a look at Easter Monday's meeting at Waverley. Like you say the meeting was thrust upon the club. The track was a mess and the Caretaker did an amazing job to run races at all. 2 minutes ago, Special Agent said: I don't care about numbers and stats I realise you "don't care about numbers and stats" however what meetings from closed tracks were transferred to Waverley? My understanding is that the meetings that were transferred there were meetings that couldn't be held because of issues at open tracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 7 minutes ago, Special Agent said: Yes. 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago 2 minutes ago, Special Agent said: Gee Chief, the farmer, tractor and sheep look pretty good now. They're long gone and took the good times with them without leaving anything sustainable behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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