Awapuni racecourse’s renovated grass track was given its first test on Monday with four sets of jumpouts, and it was given the tick of approval by participants.
The Palmerston North track has been out of commission for 18 months as it has undergone renovations, and RACE Inc General Manager of Racing Brad Taylor said it was great to see the track back in action on Monday.
“It is nice to tick off the first phase of it (return),” he said.
“The feedback has been positive. The riders were all happy, the stewards were happy, and walking the track after the jumpouts it was very consistent right the way over. Horses got their toe in and it certainly wasn’t heavy. We were pleased with how it went.”
Local trainer Peter Didham was pleased with the way the jumpouts went and he is impressed with the state of the track.
“The track seemed great. I walked the straight and (saw) the imprints with the toe in, it was really good,” he said.
“Everyone is excited, it has been a long process. A couple of months ago we were looking at it and were thinking ‘is it going to come good?’ But it looks amazing, it is nice and healthy. It is obviously going to be a bit sand-based and there might be a bit of kickback for a while, but it is looking great.”
Awapuni are set to hold trials next week in a final test before returning to racing later next month.
“Now we have just got to get through the trials next week where there will probably be 80 to 90 horses there, and that will replicate a raceday,” Taylor said. “That will be the final tick before we head back to the races on ANZAC Day (April 25). We are getting into the more exciting bit now, which is good.”
Local trainers have been able to utilise the course proper for trackwork over the last month and Taylor said the feedback has been positive.
“The first horses were on it about three weeks ago, we have had over 100 horses gallop on it before today, and we have had good feedback from trackwork riders and jockeys, and that was reinforced today going that extra bit quicker in jumpouts compared to gallops,” he said.
Manawatu punters don’t have long to wait before they can be back trackside at Awapuni, and Taylor said the grass track’s return will be a tonic for Central Districts racing.
“It has been offline for 18 months now so it is pleasing to get it back in a time where the CD needs it, albeit there are only going to be two meetings and then we will put it away until spring,” he said.
“It will be nice to get horses on a nice, new surface and test it out, and then we will head into the spring full of confidence.”
Didham is looking forward to racing returning to his home track and the resulting reduction in cost for his owners, and their ability to be trackside to watch their horses compete.
“To get racing back here will be great,” he said. “We have had a lot of people take shares in horses that are hoping to be back here on their home course racing. The Sires’ Produce (Gr.1, 1400m) at Wellington is great, but it is better here for our sponsors and our local people.
“For us trainers and owners to have no float fees and that sort of thing will be great, and it is more central for everyone.”
