Fingers Crossed: Successfully run trials at Awapuni Tuesday 12 August 2025

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Awapuni's grass track is nearing a return to racing following a positive set of trials on Tuesday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)https://bitofayarn.com

Awapuni grass track passes first test

 

Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

12 August 2025

A return to racing on Awapuni’s grass track is inching ever closer, and it passed its first test for that return following a successful set of trials on the surface on Tuesday.

30 horses line-up over five heats at the track and RACE’s General Manager of Racing Brad Taylor received positive reports at the conclusion of the trial meeting.

“The feedback was very positive from the riders,” he said. “As expected with the surface we have, there was a little bit of the sand kick back, but all-in-all it was very positive today.”

Awapuni’s grass track was initially out of commission for 19 months as it underwent an extensive renovation, and it was set to commence racing on ANZAC Day, however, that meeting was abandoned following a slip in the opening race.

The track has subsequently undergone further remedial work, and the club has called upon the expertise of Flemington track manager Liam O’Keefe to assist in that process.

“We have had Liam O’Keefe, the track manager at Flemington, who has been a big part of the project over the past eight months,” Taylor said.

“We have what they would call core and swept the tracks. We have put another sand carpet on top and there has been a lot of verti-draining and a bit more coring.

“We had to reseed some of the track because there were a couple of bare patches, which is expected with the works we did. We are now just waiting for the grass to grow.”

As part of their return to racing protocol, RACE is set to have one final set of trials on the surface, which will determine whether they can proceed with the planned return to racing on September 6.

“It has been a long, slow process and it is just nice to tick that next step off,” Taylor said.

“It is tracking in the right direction. At this time of year, the grass growth is minimal and that will only improve as we get into the next month, and further.

“We have had just over 100 horses gallop on the course proper over the last four weeks. We had 30 horses trial this morning and then we will have a bigger set of trials of roughly 80-90 horses in a fortnight. We will get that tick of approval and then we will be ready for September 6.”

It has been a frustrating process for the club, local trainers, owners and punters, and Taylor is hoping they will be rewarded for their patience in the coming weeks.

“A credit to the whole, team, especially the track team, they have put in a lot of hard work to that surface and to see it coming to fruition now is pleasing and exciting for everyone,” he said.

“The local trainers have been extremely patient, having to float to every meeting and go elsewhere to trial and gallop. They have done an incredible job and to see the results they have had over that time has been incredible.

“It is only going to improve for them over the next wee while and having the course proper back for them on a weekly basis is a positive for everyone.”

Mike Breslin was one of the local trainers to utilise the grass trials at Awapuni on Tuesday, and he is looking forward to racing’s return to the surface next month.https://bitofayarn.com

“We have all got our fingers crossed to get racing back on the grass at Awapuni, it is essential for our businesses,” he said. “I think the track will be superb, but in my opinion, it is just going to have to be gently-gently until they get some decent spring (grass) growth.”

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[hesi]

Good on them, Ellerslie showed time works wonders.

I see they have been advised by Liam O'Keefe the Flemington track manager for the last 9 months, so I guess they are doing all they can to get the track right.

That of course won't shut up the usual suspects who advance without evidence I might add, that it is all part of a conspiracy to centralise racing in Auckland/Waikato.

Racing needs to be strong not just in Auckland/Waikato, but Awapuni/Hawkes Bay/Taranaki/ Wellington regions as well as the South Island.

Whoever could think for that not to be, as a viable business strategy has rocks in their head, not littering the Awapuni track lol

[curious]

50 minutes ago, hesi said:

Good on them, Ellerslie showed time works wonders.

Has it though?

[Chief Stipe]

5 minutes ago, curious said:

Has it though?

Yeah I'm not so sure.  You know my thoughts on these sand hydroponic tracks.

I'm not sure even the Flemington expert can turn them around has he works with a track that is more soil based.

[curious]

6 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Yeah I'm not so sure.  You know my thoughts on these sand hydroponic tracks.

I'm not sure even the Flemington expert can turn them around has he works with a track that is more soil based.

I think the only thing time has done is let them recognise the 2 issues. One, the matted root structure due to the wrong grass types and realising that the only way to keep it safe is lots of water and aeration and presenting about a S5 all the time. And secondly the camber issue on the home turn which they haven't bothered to fix but that will take time if they do. Perhaps a year or two to end up with a track that is fair and suits most horses.

Edited 17 hours ago by curious

[Chief Stipe]

7 minutes ago, curious said:

One, the matted root structure due to the wrong grass types and realising that the only way to keep it safe is lots of water and aeration and presenting about a S5 all the time.

I don't think the problem was the grass variety per se.  Grow any grass (other than Marram) on pure sand and the roots will matt.  You see it on links golf courses all the time.

9 minutes ago, curious said:

And secondly the camber issue on the home turn which they haven't bothered to fix but that will take time if they do.

Time is running out for that when you look at the recent building activity up that end of the course.  The 2400m shute needs to move before you can recamber.  Over time with all the verti-draining, tyning and coring being done the organic matter will increase which will had more structure to the sand - slow process though and doubtful it will be faster than the oxidation processes.

[curious]

It's a very tight turn as it is without the recamber. As I said, suits some horses probably not others that increase speed by lengthening rather than increasing stride rate. Trainers and connections know that and mostly won't run some horses there although might be tempted to give it a go because of the money.

Awapuni might end up the better track if they've got the drainage sorted, though I think it would be a better bet to not rush back next month and give it the spring root development time.

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50 minutes ago, curious said:

It's a very tight turn as it is without the recamber.

When I walked the new track there was a camber but it drops off well before the turn.  I think that's why you see horses improve positions well before then, glide round the final bit then go for it.  Or sit and wait and hope you get some gaps when you hit the straight aka Shinn on Damask Rose.

In my opinion you can't recamber that part unless you shift the shute further South West.

[curious]

15 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

When I walked the new track there was a camber but it drops off well before the turn.  I think that's why you see horses improve positions well before then, glide round the final bit then go for it.  Or sit and wait and hope you get some gaps when you hit the straight aka Shinn on Damask Rose.

In my opinion you can't recamber that part unless you shift the shute further South West.

That turn really needs reshaping but I think there's a big pond in the way? Also, you'd then have to move the finish line, stand and everything further down the straight which might be a bit of a mission!

[Chief Stipe]

29 minutes ago, curious said:

That turn really needs reshaping but I think there's a big pond in the way? Also, you'd then have to move the finish line, stand and everything further down the straight which might be a bit of a mission!

Are referring to Ellerslie or Awaphni ?  In my opinion the bend is fine just the last part needs cambering until they straighten which means moving the shute.  No need to move the finishing post etc.