New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has confirmed that two key Spring Group 1 races will be transferred from RACE Awapuni, as the track continues through its Return to Racing protocols. The decision reflects a commitment to delivering early certainty for Trainers and Owners preparing campaigns for Group 1 runners.

NZTR Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty said the move gives participants the clarity they need at a critical planning stage.

“This hasn’t been an easy decision, nor does it reflect the significant effort that has gone into preparing the Awapuni track by the Club's leadership and their wider team.”

“It simply comes down to timing, and this call has been made to give Trainers and Owners confidence as they plan their Group 1 Spring campaigns.

“This is not a reflection of any safety concerns, but a proactive step to provide certainty while the track completes the necessary Return to Racing testing. It’s the right decision for the industry at this time, and we remain fully committed to supporting Awapuni’s return as a key metropolitan venue.” 

RACE Inc. Chairman Richard Simpson says the Club remains committed to the long-term success of Awapuni. 

“While we are naturally disappointed with the decision, our focus remains firmly on the return to racing on the course proper at Awapuni. We are confident that the extensive maintenance carried out since April has been successful, supported by the data from the going stick which is an important track assessment tool moving forward. 

“Although it’s unfortunate that Central Districts participants will miss out on premier stakes early in the Spring, we are grateful to NZTR for maintaining those stakes at the October 11 meeting.

"We will continue to work closely with NZTR and the external experts involved to ensure we deliver the best possible racing surface when Awapuni returns to action,” Simpson said. 

The $400,000 Group 1 WFA 1600m (previously the Arrowfield Stud Plate), initially set for RACE Awapuni, will now headline a newly created Group 1 raceday at Waikato Thoroughbred Racing’s Te Rapa Racecourse on Saturday 27 September. The revamped programme will also feature the $175,000 Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and a strong undercard of open and rating-band races. 

The $550,000 Group 1 WFA 2040m (previously the Livamol Classic) will be pushed back one week and relocated to Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 18 October, where it will feature on Auckland Thoroughbre Racing’s existing feature raceday. The programme will also include the $175,000 Group 2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m).

The remainder of the original $550,000 Group 1 WFA 2040m support card, including the $120,000 Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m), will remain at RACE Awapuni on Saturday 11 October, subject to the necessary Return to Racing protocols being met. All races on this RACE Awapuni card will be maintained at a minimum stake of $65,000.

NZTR Chief Operating Officer Darin Balcombe said the decision was made with the long-term success of the RACE Awapuni track in mind, while also ensuring industry confidence heading towards headline Spring racing events. 

“This decision follows weather-related delays in the turf’s recovery after decompaction work carried out in response to the abandoned Awapuni meeting on 25 April,” Balcombe said.

“The surface has shown encouraging signs, but remains untested, with horses only due to return to work on it in the coming weeks.

“We are continuing to implement a staged return-to-racing plan for Awapuni, with track performance having been closely monitored throughout July,” Balcombe added. 

Horses are scheduled to begin working on the RACE Awapuni surface from Monday 21 July, followed by restricted trials on Tuesday 29 July as part of NZTR’s standard Return to Racing protocols.

RACE Awapuni’s return raceday is currently scheduled for Saturday 23 August and remains the intended resumption date, subject to a successful final track assessment.

The decision is supported by track advisor Liam O’Keeffe, who acknowledged the positive progress at RACE Awapuni but noted that several key steps still need to be completed before the track can be cleared for a full return to racing.

As part of the programme changes, the $100,000 Group 3 Merial Metric Mile (1600m), originally scheduled for Whanganui Racecourse on Saturday 20 September, will now be run at a new meeting at RACE Awapuni on the same date. The Wanganui Jockey Club meeting will now be deleted, with a new meeting added at Ōtaki-Māori Racecourse on Friday 26 September, taking the date vacated by Waikato Thoroughbred Racing’s meeting at Te Rapa Racecourse. 

Key Programme Adjustments (may still be subject to change):

Saturday 23 August | RACE Awapuni:
Planned return raceday as scheduled 

Saturday 6 September | RACE Awapuni: 
Planned raceday as scheduled

Saturday 20 September | RACE Awapuni:
$100,000 Group 3 Merial Metric Mile (1600m) raceday with a supporting card

Friday 26 September | Ōtaki-Māori Racecourse:
Programme to be advised

Saturday 27 September | Te Rapa Racecourse (New Group 1 Day):
$400,000 Group 1 WFA 1600m (previous Arrowfield Stud Plate)
$175,000 Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m)
Supporting races including Open 1200m, R75, R65 and MAAT across key distances

Saturday 11 October | RACE Awapuni:
Meeting retained as scheduled, minus the $550,000 Group 1 WFA 2040m (previously the Livamol Classic)
$120,000 Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m), with the undercard to be maintained at $65,000 minimums

Saturday 18 October | Ellerslie Racecourse: 
$550,000 Group 1 WFA 2040m (previously the Livamol Classic) added to the existing Ellerslie raceday

A full list of Spring racing calendar programme changes is available to view on the LOVERACING.NZ website here.