Karaka Millions Night @Ellersile

[Murray Fish]

weather anxiety...   are the weather gods going to be?

[Murray Fish]

Based on the search results, Auckland has had significant recent rain and more is on the way. This situation may affect the track conditions at Ellerslie for Saturday's meeting.

### 📊 Recent and Forecasted Rainfall
Here is a breakdown of recent rainfall and the forecast for the coming days:

| **Date** | **Rainfall** | **Notes** |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Jan 5 - Jan 20** | 91.0 mm (3.582 inches) | Total for this period |
| **Jan 20** | 47.6 mm (1.873 inches) | The wettest single day in the period |
| **Today (Jan 21)** | 72.8 mm (Forecast) | Forecast indicates **"Heavy Rain"** |
| **Jan 22** | 3.8 mm (Forecast) | Patchy rain possible |
| **Jan 23 & 24** | 2.1 - 4.6 mm (Forecast) | Patchy rain possible |

**Important Note on Forecasts**: The weather details for January 21-24 come from a single forecast source. Weather conditions can change quickly, especially in summer.

### 🏇 About the Ellerslie Racecourse Track
The track at Ellerslie has undergone a major renovation and now features a modern **StrathAyr surface**. Discussions among racing experts highlight two key technical points about this new track:
*   **High Drainage Capacity**: The sand-based track is designed to drain water very quickly. Comparisons are made to international tracks that can handle over 100mm of rain in an hour.
*   **Water Recovery System**: A large storage pond collects rainwater that drains off the track. This water is then used for irrigation to maintain optimal conditions.

### 🔍 How to Get the Latest Information
For making decisions, I recommend checking these official sources closer to race day:
*   **Racecourse Updates**: For official track condition ratings (e.g., Heavy, Slow, Good), check the **Auckland Thoroughbred Racing** or **New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing** websites. They provide the most authoritative information on whether racing will proceed and what the track will be like.
*   **Latest Weather Forecast**: For the most current and reliable forecast, use New Zealand's official meteorological service, **MetService**. They provide detailed, location-specific forecasts and severe weather warnings.

### 💎 Summary and Suggestions
In short, there has been substantial rain recently, with a forecast for significant additional rain today. The new track at Ellerslie is engineered to handle heavy rain, but the total rainfall may still impact conditions.

As Saturday approaches, I suggest keeping an eye on official track condition reports from the racing bodies and the latest forecasts from MetService to get a complete picture.

I hope this information helps you prepare for the race meeting. Would you like me to look for the official contact details for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing to check for updates?

[curious]

I doubt the amount of rain forecast will have much effect on that track, certainly no worse than a slow 5 or 6.