Awapuni officially out of action for the rest of 2025

[Murray Fish]

On 29/10/2025 at 1:13 PM, Chief Stipe said:

Stop looking for a scapegoat.  Stop blaming too much irrigation or not enough.  Stop blaming the positioning of the running rail.  Stop blaming the length of the grass.  Stop blaming track managers past and present.  

The fact is every single one of us didn't stop to think that we needed to put capital into maintaining our racetracks let alone the buildings and other supporting infrastructure.  

I first wrote about that in '95!   mean while, into the sunset rode the industry...

[Wingman]

2 hours ago, Murray Fish said:

On 10/29/2025 at 1:13 PM, Chief Stipe said:

Stop looking for a scapegoat.  Stop blaming too much irrigation or not enough.  Stop blaming the positioning of the running rail.  Stop blaming the length of the grass.  Stop blaming track managers past and present.  

The fact is every single one of us didn't stop to think that we needed to put capital into maintaining our racetracks let alone the buildings and other supporting infrastructure. 

I feel your frustration however logically it cannot be every one who is interested or passionate about thoroughbred racing to be responsible for the woeful lack of infrastructure maintenance. I was both a punter and owner in the nineties. I backed a horse(I think it was the month of June )at Awapuni on a heavy track. 200m out it wins for fun then inexplicitly falters, picks itself up but runs 2nd. Turns out it put its leg into a hole. I voted with my feet and whilst we cannot bet into an Awapuni meeting at the moment, for the last 25 years I have never bet on that track unless the condition is fast/firm or easy on a good weather day. Last decade at Awapuni on a summer track I had my biggest single win bet which won but there is no way I would be betting large into that track this decade. As a customer I am looking elsewhere. Many of us were complaining, even insisting that money must be set aside for maintenance. As you know those cries fell on uncaring ears. Ultimately the the responsibility and hence the blame  lies with those that govern the industry.