tasman man 742 Report post Posted April 3, 2021 What are the top 5 NZ racing surfaces . Currently , for consistency and reliablity ? It seems that there has been much criticism of late of many of our most used tracks including Ricc ,Awapuni and the champagne turf. Plus another had races called off after one race and the trials at another were firstly transferred and then abandoned. Yesterday at Ellerslie ,despite recent rain , the track seemed in excellent nick.Greatly improved since remedial work done. Weather patterns seem to be getting more unpredictable and severe ! The Messara report that many of our tracks in poor shape and needed considerable upgrades. Can we afford this as stakes continue to decline and our poor owners get even poorer returns ! It seems obvious that tracks need closing and money be spent on tracks to future proof the sport.........folk been saying this for 50 years ! So what are currently our 5 top surfaces ? Criteria ......used for minimum of 5 x meetings per year . Seems Ellerslie near the top now ....IMO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerula 1,403 Report post Posted April 3, 2021 Wanganui is one 47South and Breeder 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Robson 1,551 Report post Posted April 3, 2021 Timaru. dock leaf, ADM, We're Doomed and 1 other 3 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE TORCH 670 Report post Posted April 3, 2021 Omoto Hawera Wanganui Wingatui HAstings 47South 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Robson 1,551 Report post Posted April 3, 2021 Don't think Omoto comes into the 5x use category....but good little venue regardless. Wingatui has had its issues in the past, but of late, has presented an outstanding track. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE TORCH 670 Report post Posted April 3, 2021 Just now, Pam Robson said: Don't think Omoto comes into the 5x use category....but good little venue regardless. LOL yes but just stressing my point about it being used so sparingly. The amount of rain it can drain at such a quick rate is incredible. Excellent footing too. It's pretty easy to choose the good ones - the poor ones is a long list and would upset many on here! Pam Robson 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
We're Doomed 4,866 Report post Posted April 3, 2021 5 minutes ago, Pam Robson said: Timaru. I was going to say Timaru myself. In my view Timaru is a crucial track for SI racing due to its central location, and really should be given priority and should have money spent on it THE TORCH, coro fan, ADM and 1 other 2 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Robson 1,551 Report post Posted April 3, 2021 Agree wholeheartedly. The track is well prepared/presented, and facilities for both horses and the public very acceptable. Jape and ADM 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE TORCH 670 Report post Posted April 3, 2021 1 minute ago, We're Doomed said: I was going to say Timaru myself. In my view Timaru is a crucial track for SI racing due to its central location, and really should be given priority and should have money spent on it The one time I went there about 10 years ago it was in bad shape but everyone who matters raves about it so I ignore my assessment. Vital in terms of location etc. We're Doomed 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
uneasy 497 Report post Posted April 3, 2021 Riccarton best track when good 3 Wingatui Washdyke Ashburton Riverton may not qualify but yesterday’s track was very good/fair to all Pam Robson 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Memphis3 1,263 Report post Posted April 3, 2021 Whanganui maybe in summer but in winter they eventually all end up on the outside rail. We're Doomed 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
We're Doomed 4,866 Report post Posted April 3, 2021 31 minutes ago, uneasy said: Riccarton best track when good 3 Wingatui Washdyke Ashburton Riverton may not qualify but yesterday’s track was very good/fair to all And Riverton the only track in the SI outside of Riccarton that can start more than 14 horses. The winners did seem to come from all over yesterday. Probably a track that could be used a bit more. Memphis3 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eljay 1,720 Report post Posted April 4, 2021 Waiheke - Beach Races They have the best trackman around!! 100 1 and Baz (NZ) 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBigStuff 398 Report post Posted April 4, 2021 2 hours ago, THE TORCH said: The one time I went there about 10 years ago it was in bad shape but everyone who matters raves about it so I ignore my assessment. Vital in terms of location etc. Its a shithole is Timaru. Ellerslie has the best surface at the moment...by far! Just improve it my by putting a strathayr track in when the merger with Pukekohe goes ahead and then it will be worldclass shaneMcAlister 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
100 1 1,386 Report post Posted April 4, 2021 Ruakaka by a mile NZs only sand based track Great summer and winter Guinness 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
We're Doomed 4,866 Report post Posted April 4, 2021 1 hour ago, 100 1 said: Ruakaka by a mile NZs only sand based track Great summer and winter I'm not sure if you are taking the piss or being serious. Many years since I have had a bet there. I couldn't have any confidence at all betting at Ruakaka. Baz (NZ), napier and Huey 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommonSensical 68 Report post Posted April 4, 2021 Yep have to agree about Ruakaka lovely track , horses seem to run good times all year round , Not sure what it must cost owners to transport horses up there from Waikato? Cant have a piece of Awapuni got to be close to the worst track in NZ Trentham in the Summer is a pretty awesome place Love the winter steeplechase meetings Like Woodville for a betting track no bias , I have seen them run some very good times there over the last few seasons e.g. 1.22 (1400) Even when its wet they seem to win from the rail or a bit wider but never on the outside rail. Hastings seems to be well groomed and provides a pretty consistent surface IMO Insider and Huey 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
100 1 1,386 Report post Posted April 4, 2021 6 minutes ago, We're Doomed said: I'm not sure if you are taking the piss or being serious. Many years since I have had a bet there. I couldn't have any confidence at all betting at Ruakaka. My ROI is best at Ruakaka One of the few tracks around now that can be relied upon to have a consistant trend. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
napier 339 Report post Posted April 4, 2021 As for top surfaces down south during the autumn/winter months there is nothing wrong with Oamaru - ( not sure if they have 5 meetings or not ). It is very central for Canterbury/Southland trainers - a bit like Timaru. Ruakaka is a track that i never have a bet at....likewise Riccarton. We're Doomed 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyril Rioli 26 Report post Posted April 4, 2021 9 hours ago, Pam Robson said: Agree wholeheartedly. The track is well prepared/presented, and facilities for both horses and the public very acceptable. Not only that but they own a large parcel of land over the back straight. I believe it was leased to Donna Williamson’s stud but she’s in the process of moving. With Riccarton having sold the pony club and Rangiora’s future looking forlorn for thoroughbreds at least, Timaru could become an important training venue but the powers that be would rather shut it We're Doomed, ADM and Pam Robson 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey 2,037 Report post Posted April 4, 2021 Trentham is the best track in the country by miles when its on, which is most of the time. Matamata Ashburton Wanganui (not winter) Ellerslie Worst 5 Tauranga New Plymouth Te Rapa Kumara Ruakaka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Bidlake 760 Report post Posted April 4, 2021 In the CD since that's where i am and go to most, 1.Hastings 2.Woodville Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurnyTom 1,541 Report post Posted April 4, 2021 Washdyke Ashburton Wingatui Trentham Hastings ADM 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
100 1 1,386 Report post Posted April 14, 2021 On 4/4/2021 at 2:19 PM, We're Doomed said: I'm not sure if you are taking the piss or being serious. Many years since I have had a bet there. I couldn't have any confidence at all betting at Ruakaka. Proved it again today ...1.09.79 for 65 grade in the rain Ruakaka drains as good as Shatin Best surface in NZ IMO Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurnyTom 1,541 Report post Posted April 14, 2021 My first time on course at Ruakaka today A superb surface but a wicked leaders bias, if you don't settle in the first four you are out of it as nothing improves from the back. I quickly learned ignore form and tote price and simply back leaders and that proved very profitable. But surely is a superb track Guinness 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...