Chief Stipe Posted 11 hours ago Posted 11 hours ago NZTR, in conjunction with the Racing Integrity Board, has today confirmed that all trials and race meetings at the RACE Awapuni track will cease for the remainder of 2025. No images? Click here Racing at RACE Awapuni Paused as Long-Term Track Plan Progresses New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), in conjunction with the Racing Integrity Board (RIB), has today confirmed that all trials and race meetings at the RACE Awapuni track will cease for the remainder of 2025, as RACE Inc. and NZTR work towards a long-term plan for the sustainability of the track. NZTR Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty said the decision followed extensive efforts to restore the track and careful consideration of its impact on participants. “NZTR acknowledges that the remediation process for the RACE Awapuni surface has placed a significant strain on our Central Districts participants and the wider industry. This is not a decision we have taken lightly, with horse and rider safety being paramount.” “Our team, the RIB, and the Club, with the support of independent experts and international advisors, have worked tirelessly in recent months, and we share the disappointment felt by many. “Despite these efforts, the surface has not consistently met the standard required to confidently host full race meetings during what is an incredibly busy period for our sport,” Ballesty said. Track consultant Liam O’Keeffe said the decision followed careful assessment of the track during recent trials and gallops. “Following recent trials and gallops at Awapuni, it’s evident that further, more aggressive renovation work is required to bring the surface up to the standard the industry needs. At the same time, we’re progressing a wider investigation into the track’s long-term suitability,” O’Keeffe said. As a result, the trials originally scheduled for Thursday 30 October at RACE Awapuni have been cancelled, with a replacement trial meeting set to be held at Woodville Racecourse on Monday 3 November. Nominations will close at 12 pm on Friday 31 October. NZTR acknowledges there will be date and programming changes as a result of the pause in racing at RACE Awapuni, including a revised racing programme to find new locations for the meetings scheduled for 14 November, 20 December, and 26 December. These changes will be communicated in due course. Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz Quote
hesi Posted 10 hours ago Posted 10 hours ago Does anyone what went wrong with the initial redevelopment at Awapuni. If I recall correctly, they called on technical advice withing NZ and Aus. I think Liam O'Keefe?? Quote
Chief Stipe Posted 9 hours ago Author Posted 9 hours ago 30 minutes ago, hesi said: Does anyone what went wrong with the initial redevelopment at Awapuni. If I recall correctly, they called on technical advice withing NZ and Aus. I think Liam O'Keefe?? Too much sand in my opinion. Plus over caution. Return to racing has been delayed because the grass isn’t developing as it should. I'm not aware of any slipping at the trials. Grass doesn't grow that well on pure sand so it will take time and perfect conditions. Quote
curious Posted 9 hours ago Posted 9 hours ago I understand that Liam O'Keefe recommended they plough it up and start over some time ago but they chose to keep trying to get it into a satisfactory state for racing. 1 Quote
hesi Posted 8 hours ago Posted 8 hours ago According to Stephen Gray VP of the CD trainers association, the track was fine, a view endorsed by all those present, trainers, jockeys etc. It was only a horse shying at a marker that caused the fall Quote
curious Posted 8 hours ago Posted 8 hours ago (edited) 8 minutes ago, hesi said: According to Stephen Gray VP of the CD trainers association, the track was fine, a view endorsed by all those present, trainers, jockeys etc. It was only a horse shying at a marker that caused the fall I certainly heard that as well but also that it slipped when it shied, which wouldn't have happened on secure footing. Hard to know what to believe. Edited 8 hours ago by curious Quote
hesi Posted 8 hours ago Posted 8 hours ago 5 minutes ago, curious said: I certainly heard that as well but also that it slipped when it shied, which wouldn't have happened on secure footing. Hard to know what to believe. That certainly is the problem about all these issues Quote
mikeynz Posted 4 hours ago Posted 4 hours ago (edited) Maybe the real issue is is that Awapuni when it's wet is just simply a wet shitehole, and probably always will be, which means that despite all the hairbrain ideas about closing many tracks down and shifting the load onto supposedly better tracks as in centralisation is just bullshit, maybe Awapuni and Hastings may be fine but just not able to take the workload these knowalls would want, so in theory closing many tracks just ain't practical in reality. Ascot Park in recent times seems to be a lot better than it was in the past, but it only races 7 times a season, there may be the reason,and just imagine how different it might be if Gore and Riverton were moved there, we need to stop trying to follow everything they do in aussie and realise it's colder and wetter in NZ mostly so Messaras ideas might work in aus but not really worth a pinch of shit here. How much easier is it for the Harness guys with mostly all weather tracks? Edited 3 hours ago by mikeynz 1 Quote
Huey Posted 44 minutes ago Posted 44 minutes ago 3 hours ago, mikeynz said: Maybe the real issue is is that Awapuni when it's wet is just simply a wet shitehole, and probably always will be, which means that despite all the hairbrain ideas about closing many tracks down and shifting the load onto supposedly better tracks as in centralisation is just bullshit, maybe Awapuni and Hastings may be fine but just not able to take the workload these knowalls would want, so in theory closing many tracks just ain't practical in reality. Ascot Park in recent times seems to be a lot better than it was in the past, but it only races 7 times a season, there may be the reason,and just imagine how different it might be if Gore and Riverton were moved there, we need to stop trying to follow everything they do in aussie and realise it's colder and wetter in NZ mostly so Messaras ideas might work in aus but not really worth a pinch of shit here. How much easier is it for the Harness guys with mostly all weather tracks? Good point , maybe we just have to accept racing on wet surfaces here is ineviatable! Quote
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