New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing [NZTR] would like to confirm the 'Return to Racing' for Te Rapa Racecourse.
Following the Club's abandonment on Monday 28 October, a great deal of work has been undertaken to ensure the track is ready for racing this Saturday including:
- Verti-draining the entire circumference of the track
- Irrigation throughout the week
- Dragging a mesh gate on the inside 18m to stand up any prone grass which was then mowed
- Rail to be moved out to 6m for Saturday’s meeting
Following this work, 14 horses were galloped over the course proper on Monday 4 November, ridden by senior riders Joe Doyle, Ryan Elliot, Michael McNab, George Rooke, Courtney Barnes, Masa Hashizume and Donovan Mansour, to ensure the track was fit to return to racing this Saturday 9 November.
NZTR COO Darin Balcombe was in attendance this morning alongside the RIB and Club officials to inspect the surface and collect feedback from the senior riders.
"All representative in attendance this morning were pleased with how the track performed, including the senior riders who were all very happy with the surface." Balcombe said.
"The Club has completed several measures over the past week and there were no issues with the surface this morning, giving us full confidence in the track and their ability to race successfully this weekend."