Ellerslie Track update

[Idolmite 2,842]

45 minutes ago, We're Doomed said:

Careful Idolmite. My first car was a Morris Marina. Powerful machine, although it did leak a bit.

My apologies. Please substitute Morris Marina with Toyota Corolla 

[Alf Riston 1,828]

3 hours ago, We're Doomed said:

Careful Idolmite. My first car was a Morris Marina. Powerful machine, although it did leak a bit.

Just a bit ???

You obviously got one of the good ones 

[scooby3051 11,931]

 Talk about transparency and not...look at what ATR deems reasonable about track info and conditions then take a look at the Moonee Valley link and see the extensive info they provide....

Release from ATR

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) wishes to advise that throughout the StrathAyr track testing process at Ellerslie which included gallops, jumpouts and trials, ATR found that the penetrometer readings taken on each occasion did not provide an accurate guide as to how the track was performing. 

In collating feedback from stakeholders, it is apparent that the readings are stating the track is much firmer than how it rides.

After discussing the matter with the team from StrathAyr, Chris Hay, Track Manager at Elwick Racecourse in Tasmania (a racecourse also in possession of a StrathAyr track) and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, it has been agreed that using penetrometer readings to determine the level of firmness of the Ellerslie track is a flawed process.

Therefore, for the foreseeable future, the Ellerslie track will be declared a Good 4 irrespective of rainfall. This track rating will be a more accurate guide for stakeholders including the wagering public.

ATR has every intention of continuing to publicise the Ellerslie track penetrometer readings once they are more reflective of how the track will perform.

Moonee Valley Tack info click to see the extensive info there

https://www.thevalley.com.au/racing/live-track-information

And then this from last weekend on Raceday

Meeting Type: Metro (TAB MEETING)

Rail Position: True Entire Circuit
Dual Track Meeting: N
Track Type: Turf
Track Condition: Good 4
Weather: Fine
Penetrometer:
Track Information: Inspection 6AM 7/9; Going stick 9.2, Shear 11.2, Penetrate 8.2. Moisture 22.5%. Track was mowed Tuesday at 4"

Scratchings Last Published: Sat 07-Sep-24 7:48AM AEST

 

So it seems ATR are trying to hide something or are they just treating punters and participants like mushrooms???

[Blue 1,141]

19 hours ago, scooby3051 said:

I have been told reliably the track today for the trials was quote "hard as F#@$...like a road and they put 10mm of water on last night..should we still be patient or should we start to worry a little...I have nothing against Ellerslie just saying. it as I have been told by people who were involved there today.

All this feedback I find very interesting. Firstly, through my years farming, 10mls of rain over several hours would barely penetrate the surface of the track unless it was pretty damp to start with so would make little difference, and secondly re the 'hard as F..." comment, there probably isn't one jockey riding today who has ridden on the 'hard and fast" tracks we regularly had over summer prior to, at least, 1980.

[Snapper 28]

Feilding / Bulls / Marton. Feilding always had one of the fastest times over 2000 mtrs.

[Insider 4,520]

2 hours ago, Snapper said:

Feilding / Bulls / Marton. Feilding always had one of the fastest times over 2000 mtrs.

Because they didn't have irrigation systems

[scooby3051 11,931]

Racing is set to return to Ellerslie next Saturday. Photo: Nicole Troost

Ellerslie given green light for racing’s return

• 
• 

Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

11 September 2024

Ellerslie is set to host some of the biggest race meetings on the calendar this season, but for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) chief executive Paul Wilcox, one raceday stands above the rest.

The newly installed StrathAyr track is set to host its first meeting of the season on Saturday-week, with many industry participants eager to see how it will cope with the stresses of racing after undergoing remedial work over winter.

The new surface hosted its first race meeting in January to much fanfare, however, a fortnight later at the Karaka Millions meeting it came under scrutiny after a couple of horses lost their footing.

The track subsequently held a handful of meetings, including Auckland Cup and New Zealand Derby Day, before two meetings in April were partially abandoned due to horses slipping.

The track was set to undergo some planned remedial work over winter, however, the club’s last scheduled meeting of the season on May 25 was transferred to Pukekohe Park to allow for the work to commence immediately.

Following the remedial work, the track has hosted a number of successful jump-outs and trials, including 22 heats on Tuesday, giving the club plenty of confidence heading into their opening meeting of the season.

“There was a surface tension that was created when we were feeding the grass to get it to grow that created a root matting at the top layer,” Wilcox said. “We have done the renovations where we have removed that and yesterday we had no issues. We are relieved.”

Wilcox said the club has been canvassing trainers for their feedback from the trials, and they have received positive reports.

“So far, so good,” Wilcox said. “Craig Baker (ATR Executive General Manager of Racing) has been talking with some of the trainers this (Wednesday) morning to see how their horses have pulled up and everything seems good there. We are happy.”

Over winter, ATR flew in a number of track specialists from Australia to assist with the track renovation, which Wilcox said was hugely beneficial.

“We got Chris Hay, who looks after the StrathAyr tracks in Tasmania, and Liam O’Keeffe from Flemington, whose track is a sand profile track and presents the same way as ours does,” he said.

“Utilising the skillset of two guys who are at the top of their game is something we are never afraid of. We got them in to help to give us the advice and changes that were needed to make sure we had the surface to present to enable racedays.

“Every track has its own intricacies. It doesn’t matter if it is turf, sand or synthetic, you utilise people with the skillsets that have the knowledge of preparation. We used them and they gave us some good advice, and we had a successful day (of trials) yesterday.

“We did everything in the book to get it (track) to where it needs to be.”

The StrathAyr track has cost the club north of $50 million, which comes with pressure, and Wilcox said the club has felt both support and scrutiny following the track’s performance to date.

“The money is irrelevant, it is making sure we have got a surface that can perform on raceday,” he said. “We had a slip, and that wasn’t good enough, so it was making sure that we can get the surface that gives the confidence to the jockeys and horses that are going around.

“There has been an element of negativity, but that is to be expected in the industry that we are in. All-in-all the trainers that have been supportive of us are wanting it to go well because they are wanting to have the ability to race at Ellerslie. We have been getting some really good support.”

There is plenty to look forward to at Ellerslie this season, including the blockbuster Champions Day in March, which will host the inaugural $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m). However, Wilcox said his team’s primary focus at this stage is their first meeting of the season next Saturday.

“We have got the new Champions Day in March, and we are looking forward to that, but I will be a happier man when we get that 21^st (of September) meeting out of the way, which is what we are focussing on,” he said.

[Pete Lane 947]

Interestingly a Soft 5 this morning.

[racingoutsider 88]

20 minutes ago, Pete Lane said:

Interestingly a Soft 5 this morning.

Interesting indeed. Have they changed their policy on that? With a 23% moisture reading as well which would be concrete at most other NZ tracks.

[scooby3051 11,931]

Fingers crossed it goes well this weekend...I have been critical because the track was not good enough last season but the industry needs it be fixed as it is the cornerstone of the good races and they keep taking more there so it needs to be successful...fingers crossed for the weekend ahead.

[nomates 4,512]

Oh god there will be a melt down if there is an issue race day .

[scooby3051 11,931]

Interesting entries for Ellerslie TA has two entries only, maybe waiting to see how the track goes???Thoughts.

[Pak Star 897]

4 minutes ago, scooby3051 said:

Interesting entries for Ellerslie TA has two entries only, maybe waiting to see how the track goes???Thoughts.

A real vote of confidence, not.  Looks more curious when you consider they sent a dozen all the way to raid the south last weekend.  

[Blue 1,141]

15 minutes ago, scooby3051 said:

Interesting entries for Ellerslie TA has two entries only, maybe waiting to see how the track goes???Thoughts.

Anyone opening a book on how far out the false rail will be? Or maybe how far in from the outside rail !

[racingoutsider 88]

24 minutes ago, Blue said:

Anyone opening a book on how far out the false rail will be? Or maybe how far in from the outside rail !

No need to guess. Rail True.

[We're Doomed 5,370]

2 hours ago, scooby3051 said:

Fingers crossed it goes well this weekend...I have been critical because the track was not good enough last season but the industry needs it be fixed as it is the cornerstone of the good races and they keep taking more there so it needs to be successful...fingers crossed for the weekend ahead.

It will be interesting to see what sort of crowd they get. The Ellerslie regulars haven't been so regular lately. Quite easy to get out of the attendance habit when you haven't been for a while.

[scooby3051 11,931]

It seems based on their moisture content they put up it may actually be a Good 3 not a soft 5...a track with that level of moisture is NOT a soft 5...or am I missing something???

[nomates 4,512]

1 hour ago, scooby3051 said:

It seems based on their moisture content they put up it may actually be a Good 3 not a soft 5...a track with that level of moisture is NOT a soft 5...or am I missing something???

We all embellish our moisture content , especially to the Mrs .

[Blue 1,141]

2 hours ago, racingoutsider said:

No need to guess. Rail True.

Isn't closer to the rail where the problems arose? Given recent rainfall It would surprise me a bit, at least for this meeting, though I shouldn't be surprised at anything coming from HQ of late.

 

[Blaird 273]

 

[scooby3051 11,931]

Seems the only thing different is they are having to vertidrain before most meetings...that in itself seems very unusual, but let's see what comes out after this weekend's meeting....As I have said even though I and many have been critical the Industry needs it to be fixed.

[chiknsmack 547]

3 hours ago, scooby3051 said:

It seems based on their moisture content they put up it may actually be a Good 3 not a soft 5...a track with that level of moisture is NOT a soft 5...or am I missing something???

The Strathayr is designed to not hold water and at the same time to not be as firm as traditional tracks with low moisture content. So it's feasible for the track to have a soft 5 level of give in it with a lower-than-expected moisture content. Though it makes sense to take anything ATR/NZTR say on the topic with a whole block of salt given their form.

 

 

[tripple alliance 1,142]

6 hours ago, scooby3051 said:

Interesting entries for Ellerslie TA has two entries only, maybe waiting to see how the track goes???Thoughts.

That's 1 more than Wanganui , zero at Waverly and not unexpectedly none at Gore they must be working towards a big spring . 

[Blue 1,141]

2 minutes ago, tripple alliance said:

That's 1 more than Wanganui , zero at Waverly and not unexpectedly none at Gore they must be working towards a big spring . 

Couple of unraced youngsters have already headed to Oz.

 

[Pheroz 118]

Most of our tracks are in the heavy range. First up runs on the heavy can often have a detrimental influence on the campaign.  I think their approach is well thought and makes sense.