Track update:
The wild weather has certainly left its impact on tracks this winter and Wanganui has had its challenges and unfortunately has had to relinquish some of our meetings over this period.
Two years ago at around the same time of year the Wanganui Jockey Club stepped up post-first wave of COVID to assist central racing and took on several extra start up meetings to get the industry back on track. This extra winter racing eventually takes toll on track conditions and in late 2021 renovation work was scheduled on the 1400m bend immediately after Cup Day.
Unfortunately the remedial work was interrupted by 148ml of rain in 4.5 days that washed the seed away and had to be resown and took an extra week. Once completed we then encountered another 50ml in a day followed by more extreme weather that delayed the healing of the area so the club moved their January meeting to Otaki-Maori and requested the February meeting also be postponed to allow sufficient time to heal and recover. Unfortunately that didn’t happen and the two April meetings (including one from Hawkes Bay) as well as a Jumps raceday in May made a mess of the area on the bend near the rail position.
The club was thankful that Waverley hosted the Queen’s Birthday raceday and then took the licence for the 17th June. This consolidates the move for the Central Districts Club Hub to be created and for our clubs to be involved in a sub-region.
The Sports Turf Institute recently conducted an assessment of the track and while soil and root growth were acceptable it confirmed that more time was required for the area to establish. The rest of the area that was renovated is in great condition. The club has since aerated the area of concern and patched it with new turf so all going well the area will recover and be ready to race again in August in the new season weather permitting.
The clubs representatives will meet with the NZTR executive in Wellington next week to discuss matters and set a plan moving forward.
We thank you for your patience and support at this time and hope to see you back on-course early in the new season.
Regards
WJC
Wanganui Jockey Club
The Racecourse
19A Purnell Street
PO Box 15
Wanganui 4540
Phone: 06 345 3968
Fax: 06 345 4828