Pete Lane 639 Report post Posted February 13 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s (NZTR) Chief Operating Officer, Darin Balcombe, and Head of Tracks and Infrastructure, Tim Lambert, would like to provide an update on the track issues experienced at RACE Trentham, Hastings Racecourse and Ellerslie Racecourse. RACE Trentham RACE has collaborated with irrigation specialists to address the challenge of not being able to water the outer portion of the home bend effectively. This issue led to the abandonment of the Wellington Racing Club's previous meeting on 27 January after Race 4. A solution has been successfully identified in partnership with Total Irrigation, involving the implementation of movable impact sprinklers, which allows the Club to irrigate a broader area. These additional sprinklers will ensure uniformity with the rest of the racing surface before the upcoming meeting on 9 March. To guarantee the consistency of the track, a monitoring process will be established. The Racing Integrity Board (RIB) and NZTR will inspect the track leading up to the meeting on 9 March. Hastings Racecourse On Saturday morning (10 February), seven horses were galloped around cones positioned 12 metres off the rail, covering the area that had caused issues during the meeting on Thursday 25 January. Experienced riders galloped the horses, with the gallops overseen by representatives from Hawke's Bay Racing Inc. and Darin Balcombe from NZTR. The consensus among all involved was that the previous inconsistency issues had been successfully addressed. The repairs made after the previous racedays had been given additional time to settle, contributing to the positive outcome. Riders expressed their satisfaction, describing the track as consistent with a good cushion underfoot. After consulting with the RIB, the track has received clearance to resume racing, with the next scheduled event set for Sunday 18 February. Ellerslie Racecourse Post the review that took place following TAB Karaka Millions on Saturday 27 January at Ellerslie, Track Manager Jason Fulford used various machinery to break down a thick layer of roots just below the surface which will enable horses to penetrate the surface more than previously. As referenced last week, jumpouts were held at Ellerslie on Monday 12 February, with 62 horses jumping out with positive comments from Jockeys following. Jason Fulford, as part of his preparation leading into this Saturday, will use machinery which will further enhance the surface. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leggy 4,096 Report post Posted February 13 "various machinery" and "machinery which will further enhance the surface"??? What the hell does that mean and why wasn't such mysterious machinery used before the Karaka meeting/ And whose bright idea is it to suddenly use it now? I thought Wilcox kept saying they were being transparent about the preparation and state of this track? Now we just get more wish-wash. Pam Robson, Pete Lane and fermoy 2 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leggy 4,096 Report post Posted February 13 And positive comments from jockeys? What does that mean? Like they were going at 3/4 pace not racing speeds at which the issues appeared.Not good enough. I guess we'll find out more on Saturday. canon47 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contentious 616 Report post Posted February 13 1 hour ago, Leggy said: "various machinery" and "machinery which will further enhance the surface"??? What the hell does that mean and why wasn't such mysterious machinery used before the Karaka meeting Leggy, Memphis3, jack and 5 others 4 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi Ho Silver 785 Report post Posted February 13 Maybe said administrators and jockeys should stop trying to be movie stars. wph and fermoy 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby3051 10,976 Report post Posted February 13 And what about Hastings what a load of bollocks there too, what work did they do, all just waffle...they must think everyone is stupid fair dinkum. nomates, Leggy and Pete Lane 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leggy 4,096 Report post Posted February 13 32 minutes ago, scooby3051 said: And what about Hastings what a load of bollocks there too, what work did they do, all just waffle...they must think everyone is stupid fair dinkum. Agree. Don't see how a few horses galloping over the area can tell anything much. Needs to be tested at racing speeds of course with horses under a ride to ascertain any level of safety. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lane 639 Report post Posted February 13 https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/horse-racing-ellerslie-racing-surface-given-all-clear-senior-jockey-says-it-needs-more-racing/QKGFYAP3AZA3TFJMPFAQ7J6L4Y/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leggy 4,096 Report post Posted February 13 Thanks Pēte. That's a bit more helpful with Wilcox saying they've Phantomcored it. Nothing about the other "various machinery" though and a 30mm depth for that sounds very minimal tp me or did Guerin get it wrong and he said 130mm? Pete Lane 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob dobalino 25 Report post Posted February 13 What about Te Aroha looks like another bullsup there canon47 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pak Star 716 Report post Posted February 14 18 hours ago, Contentious said: I think a pair of these bad boys are more efficient these days... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
