Awapuni Track Announcement

[Chief Stipe]

 

NZTR and RACE Inc. are continuing the maintenance and remediation work on the RACE Awapuni course proper.     No images? Click here RACE Awapuni Remediation Progressing Under Specialist Oversight New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and RACE Inc. are continuing the maintenance and remediation work on the RACE Awapuni course proper, with weekly management meetings underway between RACE, NZTR and international racecourse specialists, Callum Brown and Liam O’Keefe.  As part of this process, alternative machinery is being trialled to address compaction issues identified within the track profile. This is particularly important given the presence of stones beneath the surface, which limits the use of certain tines on the verti-drain machine. The course proper at RACE Awapuni requires decompaction through intensive remediation work to ensure it is safe for racing in the long term. As organic material begins to build beneath the surface, the track will become easier to manage, with less frequent and intensive maintenance required. This approach is similar to the work at Ellerslie Racecourse, where an extensive verti-drain process is routinely carried out prior to raceday to support surface performance. NZTR CEO Matt Ballesty commented, “We are treating the RACE Awapuni situation with the seriousness it warrants and working closely with the right people to get the best outcome for our participants, punters and for the future of racing in the Central Districts,” he said.  NZTR and RACE Inc. are completing the scheduled work programme and continuing to test different decompaction techniques and machinery, in accordance with advice from Liam O’Keefe and Callum Brown.  At this stage, there is still a target to return to RACE Awapuni in late August 2025, with a standardised racing programme expected to follow across the upcoming 2025/26 season. However, both organisations remain committed to proactive decision-making should the track’s progress warrant any adjustments to this plan. “A safe return to racing is our number one priority,” added Ballesty. “We’re closely monitoring how the track responds to the remediation work and will make an early call on the RACE Awapuni programme if any material issues arise before the beginning of the new season.” “Clear communication with participants and Clubs is a priority as we work through this,” Ballesty said.  Liam O’Keefe will return to RACE Awapuni on Monday 9 June to carry out further testing and surface assessments. A revised work programme will be agreed upon following this visit and we will inform the next phase of remediation activity.   Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Emma Thompson +64 21 071 2929 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz     New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing 18 Dick Street, Cambridge 3434 Email: office@nztr.co.nz Tel: 0800 946 637 NZTR.CO.NZ Unsubscribe

 

 

[Wingman]

The so called experts have managed to create yet another problematic 'NEW' track. The obsession with sand is starting to wear thin and so are my betting strategies as yet another track, if and when it gets back into play, goes into  the 'watch' column.

[Chief Stipe]

1 minute ago, Wingman said:

The so called experts have managed to create yet another problematic 'NEW' track. The obsession with sand is starting to wear thin and so are my betting strategies as yet another track, if and when it gets back into play, goes into  the 'watch' column.

I agree about the "sand obsession".  

[Huey]

You do you Awapuni,  you do you!

[curious]

How on earth could a track that has barely been used develop a compaction problem? Did they make the same mistake as Ellerslie and use the wrong grass types? I think industry participants deserve a full and detailed explanation, not the fluff in the release above. That certainly doesn't amount to clear communication with participants imo.

[Wingman]

I have said this time and time again, if NZTR operated as a genuine corporate model with shareholders, the people that continue to fuck this once great industry, the people that continue to employ the types that put out todays latest waffle, trying to justify yet another failure, would not be there. The reality however is that they are there, have been there far too long, meaning only a total cleanout of the executive directed by the Minister and ALSO with a significant directional change, will arrest the slide towards the sunset. 

[Chief Stipe]

17 hours ago, curious said:

How on earth could a track that has barely been used develop a compaction problem? Did they make the same mistake as Ellerslie and use the wrong grass types?

Nothing to do with the grass type.  Fundamentally the problem is the amount and depth of pure sand.

But yes they have made the same mistake as Ellerslie.  (I see the same people that think Ellerslie is OK are going all out on criticising Awapuni).

17 hours ago, curious said:

I think industry participants deserve a full and detailed explanation, not the fluff in the release above. That certainly doesn't amount to clear communication with participants imo.

What more do you want to know?  It isn't an intellectual exercise.  Don't most trainers say they know SFA about tracks and just expect them to be safe.

Or do you want to join those irrational types looking for scapegoats and baying for blood?

[Chief Stipe]

12 hours ago, Wingman said:

I have said this time and time again, if NZTR operated as a genuine corporate model with shareholders, the people that continue to fuck this once great industry, the people that continue to employ the types that put out todays latest waffle, trying to justify yet another failure, would not be there. The reality however is that they are there, have been there far too long, meaning only a total cleanout of the executive directed by the Minister and ALSO with a significant directional change, will arrest the slide towards the sunset. 

But these problems have been a long time in the making.  In the first instance those that ran the Clubs created the problem.  Now it seems everyone is expecting NZTR to fix the problem.  Yes they have responsibilities in terms of the racing calendar, handicapping, licensing, animal safety and welfare and revenue distribution but the track problem has been developing for decades.

A lack of investment on infrastructure for decades by Clubs has created the problems we see manifested today.  The only defence is the Clubs weren't profitable enough to put capital aside to do maintenance when required.  If NZTR added anything to the problem is was not directing Clubs to invest in track infrastructure and their focus on increasing stakes.  

BTW did NZTR have much involvement with Ellerslie? 

Did NZTR tell Trentham to spend up large on irrelevant stuff and neglect their core infrastructure?

Many of you may remember what some call the "golden days" of a "once great industry".  We all took the Stakes when we could and thought that we could hammer our racetracks forever.  The farming industry thought the same and adapted their farming practices to provide sustainable pasture.  Racing didn't.

[Wingman]

Now you are spouting nonsense. Look no further than the opening sentence of their press release "NZTR and RACE are  continuing the maintenance and remediation work".

NZTR were not responsible for tracks last century but have been all over what tracks get what, for over twenty years. As some of their not so cunning plans have evaporated they have now looked desperately to what needs to be done at tracks they previously wanted closed. 

[curious]

24 minutes ago, Wingman said:

Now you are spouting nonsense. Look no further than the opening sentence of their press release "NZTR and RACE are  continuing the maintenance and remediation work".

NZTR were not responsible for tracks last century but have been all over what tracks get what, for over twenty years. As some of their not so cunning plans have evaporated they have now looked desperately to what needs to be done at tracks they previously wanted closed. 

I agree. Ever since the shift to bulk funding, clubs have only been funded to conduct race meetings, so have not been funded reserves for infrastructure renovation and replacement. That has been NZTR's responsibility but they have chosen to put all available funds into stakes.

[Chief Stipe]

21 minutes ago, Wingman said:

Now you are spouting nonsense. Look no further than the opening sentence of their press release "NZTR and RACE are  continuing the maintenance and remediation work".

YES they have been landed with the problem.  RACE doesn't have any money to fix the problem that the Manawatu Racing Club created!  Arguably nor does NZTR unless they take millions out of stakes!

The Awapuni track was stuffed a long time before NZTR got involved.

23 minutes ago, Wingman said:

NZTR were not responsible for tracks last century but have been all over what tracks get what, for over twenty years.

No they haven't.  That's blatantly false.  The problems at Awapuni have been ongoing for more than 20 years.  The RIU issue with Kevin Morton started over the corner issues in January 2015!!!!  He was referencing the corner issues at Awapuni that had been ongoing for ages.  The fix at the time was underfunded because no one wanted to address the elephant in the room - the Club included.'

Hastings is going the exact same way and NZTR have only stepped in there after last years debacle in September.

27 minutes ago, Wingman said:

As some of their not so cunning plans have evaporated they have now looked desperately to what needs to be done at tracks they previously wanted closed. 

It isn't a "cunning plan" even if the likes of Colin Wightman aka @Transparency and company want to label it a conspiracy.

The fundament problem is that very few if ANY clubs have the revenue or the proft or the spare capital to maintain their tracks to a level that is acceptable under today's laws and regulations.  Not to mention Jockey skill levels.

If what you label a "cunning plan" is unacceptable then what is YOUR plan to address the fundamental issues?

Don't say re-open Levin or Foxton as arguably they wouldn't be able to take too many race meetings before they have the same issues as everyone else has!  By all means use them while getting the main tracks up to speed but you can't rely on them.  Foxton barely makes ends meet as it is without adding the pressure of race meetings.

Matamata are expanding their revenue opportunities by providing more stabling BUT I'd bee keen to know how they will maintain the track with the increased activity and no resting.  I suspect Te Aroha is part of the plan.  

[Chief Stipe]

6 minutes ago, curious said:

I agree. Ever since the shift to bulk funding, clubs have only been funded to conduct race meetings, so have not been funded reserves for infrastructure renovation and replacement. That has been NZTR's responsibility but they have chosen to put all available funds into stakes.

Which Clubs pushed back on that policy?

[curious]

12 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Which Clubs pushed back on that policy?

What policy?

[Chief Stipe]

5 minutes ago, curious said:

What policy?

This policy:

26 minutes ago, curious said:

Ever since the shift to bulk funding, clubs have only been funded to conduct race meetings, so have not been funded reserves for infrastructure renovation and replacement. That has been NZTR's responsibility but they have chosen to put all available funds into stakes.

 

[curious]

The first bit was legislation wasn't it? Too long ago to remember what clubs were for or against that, but as I recall it was contentious. The latter bit I think is something that at least some clubs and other industry participants remain opposed to.

[Chief Stipe]

56 minutes ago, curious said:

The first bit was legislation wasn't it? Too long ago to remember what clubs were for or against that, but as I recall it was contentious. The latter bit I think is something that at least some clubs and other industry participants remain opposed to.

Well the chickens are roosting now.  For example where are Hastings and Trentham going to get the capital from to improve their track?  Ellerslie sold their hill.

The only source of funds in the next 3 years will be from the diversion of ENTAIN funding from stakes to infrastructure.

So as I keep pointing out the Central Districts needs to look at the business cases for each and every Club.  If you were looking at Clubs that have potential for growth and to develop sources of revenue other than holding racedays then you'd back Hastings over Trentham.

[curious]

Did the RIA amendment Act pass its third reading last night? That would be another 100m in racing's kitty which might help if NZTR apply their share to sorting infrastructure.

[Chief Stipe]

1 minute ago, curious said:

Did the RIA amendment Act pass its third reading last night? That would be another 100m in racing's kitty which might help if NZTR apply their share to sorting infrastructure.

Assuming the $100m estimate is accurate.  Even so the industry needs to make the decisions based on business cases and the potential for a track to contribute revenue from core horse activity.

[curious]

Core horse activity or sources of revenue other than holding racedays as you said earlier?

[Chief Stipe]

4 minutes ago, curious said:

Core horse activity or sources of revenue other than holding racedays as you said earlier?

Core horse activity must come first.  Otherwise you have a substantial area of land that produces zero income.

[Special Agent]

4 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Matamata are expanding their revenue opportunities by providing more stabling BUT I'd bee keen to know how they will maintain the track with the increased activity and no resting.  I suspect Te Aroha is part of the plan.  

It would be nice to think increased activity has been taken into account.  Training would not include regular unlimited use on the course proper of course.

[curious]

I agree, though I wonder if the likes of Trentham and Hastings would not be better off sold for the land value and new tracks built on lower cost land or another nearby track redeveloped, especially in the Trentham case where there is no horse activity other than racedays and something closer to the horse population would make more sense. The whole place needs a bulldozer. Mind you, so does Hastings.

[TAB For Ever]

The much maligned Northern Racing 'Group' could help out.

Following on the initiatives in recent years around Ellerslie , Puke and the ATR and talk of the Waikato Greenfields proposal the Northern 'division ' could sort it .

Sell Avondale and divert ALL the funds back to racing .........start on purpose built Waikato Greenfields [ and the current facilities sales in the plan ] and produce two purpose built International Racecourses with Training centres . This includes one in CD in a flood free area that can grow grass !

Make CD racing 'worthwhile' again ...it ain't in good shape ,lets face it ! 

[Huey]

2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Assuming the $100m estimate is accurate.  Even so the industry needs to make the decisions based on business cases and the potential for a track to contribute revenue from core horse activity.

No it needs to get away from business cases & worry about how it impacts the training & development of the horse.

Too many BS business cases have led to this dead end direction we are heading in at the minute.

Give them a business case & they'll put a hospital,Kmart & a kindergarten next to the winning post.

Time racing worried about it's core product - the animal. 

[curious]

2 hours ago, curious said:

Did the RIA amendment Act pass its third reading last night?

Sorry it was the whole house committee sitting, not the final reading.