NZTR Abandonment Report

[Chief Stipe]

Report now released.

Industry Release - Awapuni and Riccarton Abandonments Nov 22 FINAL (1).pdf

[Chief Stipe]

REPORT ON THE NOVEMBER ABANDONMENTS AT AWAPUNI & RICCARTON
1. The NZTR Management and Board considered reports provided on the respective abandonments 
at Awapuni on Friday 11 November & Riccarton NZ Cup Meeting held Saturday 12 November. 
2. Reports were received and reviewed from Club, RIB, NZSTI, Independent Track Manager and 
Irrigation specialists. 
3. The respective Clubs, RACE & Canterbury JC were provided with the NZTR Board findings of these 
reports. 
AWAPUNI – FRIDAY 11 NOVEMBER
1. The NZTR Management & Board found that this abandonment should have been reasonably 
avoided by the application of irrigation earlier in the lead up to race week given the early forecast 
for rain on raceday.
2. The NZTR Track Preparation Policy Notes - “NZTR recognises the preparation of the racing surface is 
not always capable of precise control, particularly having regard to weather conditions leading up to 
and on the race day itself, taking into account the particular characteristics of the track e.g. soil type, 
soil moisture, grass cover and quality of the irrigation system. 
The purpose of this Policy is to set minimum expectations as to how a prudent racing club and track 
manager manages those issues.” 
3. An NZSTI report commissioned by NZTR and presented to RACE in the wake of the Trentham 
Abandonment in December 2021 stated:
Can the risk be eliminated completely? 
In our opinion the risk of this sort of thing happening cannot be eliminated completely if Good 3 / Dead 
4 tracks are targeted because most of our tracks are soil (not sand) based. On race day, the soil has to 
be dry enough for the track to be a Good 3. Inevitably that moisture content is a lot drier (and hence 
the soil harder) than what the moisture content will be in the surface if a certain amount of rain occurs 
in the hours before racing. Laboratory analysis of the moisture content of soil cores taken from the 
Trentham track clearly illustrates this. On soil tracks, if such a moisture differential is present, it will 
always equate to a risk of slipperiness. 
The problem does not occur on sand-based tracks because sands do not react in the same way as soils 
when these conditions occur. In the longer term, incorporating sand into the surface of our soil tracks 
can lower the risk of this occurring. 
On soil tracks, one way to manage the problem is to not target Good 3 or Dead 4 tracks at times when 
rainfall is difficult to predict accurately.
4. A breakdown in communication between Track Management resulted in the track starting the week 
in the Good range with an indifferent weather forecast including drying conditions later in the week.
5. We have requested and been assured RACE have put in place further protocols to ensure this does 
not occur going forward.

Page 2 of 4

6. The issue was exacerbated by the current Irrigation system at Awapuni which is currently

undergoing testing to ensure it is evenly distributing irrigation and to what level to the entire track.

The following recommendations/ actions were identified by NZTR Management:

1. Confirmation requested from RACE as to their structure with regards Track management and who

is accountable, as this still remains unclear and is currently being reviewed post abandonment.

2. RACE to provide clarity with regards the irrigation system and an understanding as to the level and

consistency of the irrigation being applied, the reported amounts do not appear to be data based,

testing is now being undertaken.

3. As agreed, and previously advised to mitigate issues the track needs to be managed “in” to the

preferred going through the week, not “out” (starting with a good track) as this is fraught with

issues especially when rain on day forecast, especially given the irrigation system they are

currently using has its limitations.

4. Assurances that the communication issues experienced in the lead up to the abandonment have

been remedied by RACE and the required structures and accountabilities are now in place.

5. As part of the review from NZSTI post Trentham December 2021 abandonment advises “On soil

tracks, one way to manage the problem is to not target Good 3 or Dead 4 tracks at times when rainfall

is difficult to predict accurately.”

RICCARTON – SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER

1. After considering reports from the CJC, RIB, NZSTI, Irrigation Consultants & Independent Track

Manager the NZTR Board considered that the main contributing factor to the abandonment was

the turf on the Riccarton Racecourse.

2. Combined with an inconsistent Irrigation system and compaction has created greasy areas.

3. An NZSTI report commissioned post-Raceday identified the following conclusions:

The key points noted from this investigation were:

3.1. A significant moisture deficit had developed and was present in the region when this incident

occurred.

3.2. This means that maintaining moisture in the track had been reliant mainly on irrigation for some

time prior to Cup Day

3.3. It was evident from moisture meter data and the visual appearance of the grass on the track, that

the irrigation system applications to the track have poor uniformity resulting in some areas that

are significantly drier than others, despite regular irrigation applications.

3.4. The infiltration rate into the track was found to be variable and very low in some locations (these

variations occur within short distances).

3.5. A lot of matted turf growth with long grass stems lying on the surface of the track was evident.

Where it was very dense, this matted material would have slowed the rate of drying so that any

excess of water present at the surface would not have dried at quickly as would normally be

expected.

3.6. Given these various factors it is reasonable to conclude that the combination of dry patches, dense

matted growth on the surface and localized low infiltration rates could produce slippery patches

on the track in the event that a certain amount of rain or irrigation was applied to the track prior

to the race day.

Page 3 of 4

3.7. That combination would result in excess moisture in the surface layer creating a thin layer of soft,

slippery soil above harder, drier soil beneath.

3.8. It is expected that the programme in Cup week complicates things because racing on Saturday,

Wednesday and Saturday limits the windows when irrigation can be applied and most likely does

not allow ideal amounts and timing of irrigation to be applied. It was identified that the turf was

growing horizontally along the surface of the track with stem length of 300mm. In areas where

this grass mat was very dense it created a slippery layer underneath.

4. The track was noticeably inconsistent which was confirmed in all reports, both by the appearance of

the turf and the hoof imprints.

5. Whilst a contributing factor to this issue would have been irrigating in less-than-ideal conditions to

maintain the track through Cup week, the inconsistency also pointed to the fact that the irrigation

was not uniform.

6. Testing by Wai Design revealed that pop ups were not operating consistently with a difference in

performance of up to 40%. The CJC have undertaken a review of the irrigation system to improve

the uniformity.

7. The lack of a suitably aggressive annual renovation program was identified as a contributing factor

to the deterioration of the turf and track profile.

8. Riccarton is currently undergoing a full turf renovation with all grass being removed down to 30mm,

scarifying, sub-soiling and verti-draining. The track is currently being cored, under sown and

fertilised.

9. The Club have also been advised and have agreed that a more aggressive annual renovation

program would help ensure the issue does not develop again in the future.

10. Further to this the CJC are reviewing their mowing schedule, turf grooming and equipment which

may also have contributed to the turf issues.

NZTR Decision

1. Given the findings for both venues NZTR Management & Board concluded that both Club’s should

have reasonably avoided these issues.

2. A significant level of Funding has been withheld from both Clubs, whilst this does not make up for

the cost to the industry it does signal to the Clubs that a greater level of professionalism is expected.

Moving Forward

1. As previously advised several protocols to have been put in place to further support Clubs to ensure

safe racing surfaces are provided on race day, with a jockey feedback App now operational to earlier

identify both positive and negative trends around tracks prior to these becoming issues, including

identifying the optimum state when a track is performing at its best.

2. Increased communication with Clubs prior to race week and providing increased feedback post-

Raceday.

3. These abandonments have also further clarified the need for urgent investment in Club

Infrastructure.

4. The NZTR Board have identified areas to utilise the $10m Infrastructure fund to ensure the tracks

and irrigation systems at our venues are fit for purpose given the increasing demands on these

systems to ensure race days can proceed in all weather conditions.

Page 4 of 4
5. The importance of aggressive annual turf and de-compaction work has also been further 
communicated to the Track Managers and this will continue through the Regional Field days.
6. Increased educational material that will be supplied by NZSTI through Fact Sheets and online 
tutorials these will be continually refined to identify the most appropriate format to ensure the best 
results.
Darin Balcombe
Chief Operating Officer
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing

[Special Agent]

Looks like Awapuni gone again.

[Doomed]

"A significant level of funding has been withheld". What exactly does that mean? Will their next feature meeting be an industry meeting instead? Will NZTR not fund their Xmas parties? Have the CEOs had their annual bonus cut?

[Assange]

5 minutes ago, Doomed said:

"A significant level of funding has been withheld". What exactly does that mean? Will their next feature meeting be an industry meeting instead? Will NZTR not fund their Xmas parties? Have the CEOs had their annual bonus cut?

Annual bonus? The cuts should start at the top.

[nomates]

25 minutes ago, Doomed said:

A significant level of funding has been withheld

Hopefully enough to pay the frauds off .

Trainers should be baying at the offices before they trudge home .

[Joe Bloggs]

I think Petone is circling the wagons.........Bernie is cackling away down there in Bleak City no doubt.

[Huey]

1 hour ago, Joe Bloggs said:

I think Petone is circling the wagons.........Bernie is cackling away down there in Bleak City no doubt.

Bernie the good bloke... gone , whilst all his stupid iniatives take effect in nzracing!

[Joe Bloggs]

25 minutes ago, Huey said:

Bernie the good bloke... gone , whilst all his stupid iniatives take effect in nzracing!

I wonder what Chris Wood has to say about his initiatives now?........if those no hopers were driftwood Huey imagine the bonfire we could have?

[Freda]

' We have requested and been assured RACE have put in place further protocols to ensure this does 
not occur going forward.'

Well, that worked.

So, are these reports worth the paper - or whatever the online version is - they are written on ?

And, as for the 'withheld funding'  who ultimately pays?

Does that mean that races cannot be held, going forward, for the money advertised?

So then owners pay..and following on, trainers get hit, so then do jockeys - although most don't think that far ahead..

Or do track fees/rents go up?  

If the clubs have money problems now, how does this help the situation?  not that I am implying there should be no consequences...but I don't see CEO's and their minions taking a salary cut to help balance the books.

[Mark D]

19 minutes ago, Freda said:

' We have requested and been assured RACE have put in place further protocols to ensure this does 
not occur going forward.'

Well, that worked.

So, are these reports worth the paper - or whatever the online version is - they are written on ?

And, as for the 'withheld funding'  who ultimately pays?

Does that mean that races cannot be held, going forward, for the money advertised?

So then owners pay..and following on, trainers get hit, so then do jockeys - although most don't think that far ahead..

Or do track fees/rents go up?  

If the clubs have money problems now, how does this help the situation?  not that I am implying there should be no consequences...but I don't see CEO's and their minions taking a salary cut to help balance the books.

Bunch of clowns - couldn't organise a beer in a brewery

[Special Agent]

23 minutes ago, Freda said:

' We have requested and been assured RACE have put in place further protocols to ensure this does 
not occur going forward.'

What are the consequences of those assurances being absolute lies?

What business would continue to pay these people?

When does NZTR say enough is enough?

There are a lot of people who are relying on racing for a living.  It is getting harder to put food on the table.  But that's okay, those at RACE will continue to be paid.

[Doomed]

29 minutes ago, Freda said:

' We have requested and been assured RACE have put in place further protocols to ensure this does 
not occur going forward.'

Well, that worked.

So, are these reports worth the paper - or whatever the online version is - they are written on ?

And, as for the 'withheld funding'  who ultimately pays?

Does that mean that races cannot be held, going forward, for the money advertised?

So then owners pay..and following on, trainers get hit, so then do jockeys - although most don't think that far ahead..

Or do track fees/rents go up?  

If the clubs have money problems now, how does this help the situation?  not that I am implying there should be no consequences...but I don't see CEO's and their minions taking a salary cut to help balance the books.

We do deserve to be told what the withheld funding consists of. I have absolutely no idea what it might be.

[billy connolly]

3 hours ago, Freda said:

So, are these reports worth the paper - or whatever the online version is - they are written on ?

Of course they're not.

3 hours ago, Freda said:

If the clubs have money problems now, how does this help the situation?  not that I am implying there should be no consequences...but I don't see CEO's and their minions taking a salary cut to help balance the books.

The Trainers had an opportunity to give Mills the two-fingered salute when he transferred last weeks meeting to the Polytrack but didn't have the initiative to do so.

[Special Agent]

Yes, that was disappointing.

[Chief Stipe]

14 hours ago, Special Agent said:

When does NZTR say enough is enough?

Isn't NZTR the bigger problem itself?  Either their inaction or incompetence has led to this situation.

[Doomed]

9 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Isn't NZTR the bigger problem itself?  Either their inaction or incompetence has led to this situation.

Yes indeed, they are the problem. They are too complicit in everything that has happened to expect them to resolve anything.

[curious]

Don't agree. The responsibility for track presentation lies squarely with clubs. Their boards, appointed management and staff.

[Kihikihi Kid]

2 minutes ago, curious said:

Don't agree. The responsibility for track presentation lies squarely with clubs. Their boards, appointed management and staff.

But surely the Stipes must sign off the track as safe before racing begins.

I'm really pissed off they use the jockeys as crash test dummies.

A: If I was a jockey I'd be so faqn wild I would want to hang some incompetent prick, track management/stipes , how does this happen.

B: Jockeys and Trainers need to stop paying fines, it's so inconsequential as opposed to going out riding on an UNSAFE slippery track that trainers reps and owners who set foot on the track knew it was slippery and dangerous and the meeting was in doubt.

Sharrock , the time has come. Heads need to roll NOW

[curious]

Sharrock can't roll heads at clubs, only at NZTR. What heads at NZTR do you think should roll?

[Chief Stipe]

3 hours ago, curious said:

Don't agree. The responsibility for track presentation lies squarely with clubs. Their boards, appointed management and staff.

But if you have a McDonalds franchise and you fail to get a high food safety rating then the franchise is taken off you.  Shouldn't that be the same with NZTR?

[Special Agent]

NZTR is a law unto itself.

If protocols for track preparation are set by NZTR and those protocols are not adhered to there has to be consequences.  You can't threaten if you are not prepared to follow through with penalty or punishment.

When actions of a racing club management effect a whole industry I think it is weak to say NZTR do not have the power to get rid of CEO's and Caretakers, citing it is only the racing club Board's role.  But, as we saw with the RACE vs Gary Vile situation NZTR and/or the RIB would not step in to at the very least mediate.  Clubs and trainers are licensed to NZTR and must abide by rules and regulations.  Likewise there are rules NZTR must ensure are being followed regarding the treatment of trainers, jockeys etc.  Trainers and jockeys are self employed people.  CEO's and Caretaker are paid club employees.

I agree with Curious that track preparation is the responibility of the club.  I equally agree with Chief that NZTR has obligations as the governing body.

Taking everything into account the solution is fairly simple.  Rather than NZTR withholding funding from RACE and the CJC, remove all race day licences for at least 12 months.  That should be sufficient time to correct all racing surfaces.  Management of a racing club is not required if the club is not racing.  The Boards will no longer require CEO's and Caretakers and NZTR should takeover management of both clubs.  After all NZTR have all the expert personnel to fix the tracks and run the business, and there are enough alternative venues in both regions because they haven't been culled as suggested previously.  Just as well for the entire industry.

In the Racing Act there is provision for NZTR to take over racing club venues, via a long process.  When it was put in place I'd say the idea was to close the smaller clubs putting extra funds into the coffers.  Possibly a little ironic then that two of the major misfits are RACE and the CJC.  All clubs should be treated equally.

Edited December 11, 2022 by Special Agent

[Kihikihi Kid]

3 hours ago, curious said:

Sharrock can't roll heads at clubs, only at NZTR. What heads at NZTR do you think should roll?

Stipes

[curious]

2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

But if you have a McDonalds franchise and you fail to get a high food safety rating then the franchise is taken off you.  Shouldn't that be the same with NZTR?

No. Not the same. Clubs have not bought a franchise. They are the members of NZTR and together control it.

[curious]

1 hour ago, Special Agent said:

 Clubs and trainers are licensed to NZTR and must abide by rules and regulations.

Clubs are not licensed to NZTR. NZTR is their at there behest and does license trainers and jockeys.

Edited December 11, 2022 by curious