| BUILDINGS & FACILITIES |
YEAR: 2010
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The Addington Raceway surface has been one of the most durable and consistent in the world over the last 30 years. For the first time in decades a meeting was called off (after the sixth race)at Addington Raceway last Friday night due to the state of the track after a day of rough weather.
Traditionally, the Addington track has remarkable drying and absorption qualities but on Friday night things were different. The writing was on the wall early when a false start was declared in the 2YO Non-Tote Trot due to the mobile gate being unable to gain satisfactory traction to clear the field at dispatch. Rolling starts ensued but the rain kept falling.
The track was awash, with drivers getting unusually muddy and visibility back in the fields being very limited. A meeting of senior horseman, Stipendiary Stewards and Addington officials after Race 6 resulted in the meeting being abandoned.
Addington Raceway CEO, Shane Gloury, offers a rundown of events. “Basically, it came down to abnormal and unusual rainfall that reacted differently with the track than the rain we are used to. We had two inches of swirling, misty drizzle that sat on top of the track rather than draining through it and down the surface toward the inside.
“There was talk that the track was ‘conditioned’ earlier in the day and week. That wasn’t the case. Our track manager John Denton prepared the track as if it was going to rain on race day. “Obviously, since last Friday night we’re looking at ways to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
The Met club hasn’t shirked its obligation to owners over the abandonment, either. Connections of horses that did not get a run in races seven to 10 on Friday night, that haven’t already received a travel subsidy, will be compensated $100 per horse.
The Caduceus Club Mares’ Championship, for which Kiwi Ingenuity was hot favourite will now be run six days after the Breeders Stakes on February 18 and will coincide with the final day of the National Yearling Sales.
Credit: HRNZ 25Jan10
YEAR: 2010
The major 5.1 magnitude aftershock in Christchurch this morning at 7.49am has led to the abandonment of tomorrow nights (Thursday) Harness Meeting at Addington Raceway.
The decision to abandon the meeting was made by the Club in conjunction with HRNZ officials.
Addington Raceway CEO, Shane Gloury, explained. “Everybody here worked so hard to get the place ready to go after the weekend, but this mornings’ aftershock put us back to where we were after the first quake.
“There is a range of issues that necessitated the abandonment. There is damage in many of our major rooms in the Metropolitan Stand – we’ve had ceiling tiles and light fittings that have collapsed and have been strewn across the floor, TV’s that have been destroyed, broken glassware and crockery and our lift has also been damaged. Many of the rooms are a mess.
“We also have the Welfare Centre at the Raceway in the Twiggers Stand There were 280 people that stayed here last night and that number is expected to swell after this morning’s aftershock which means that the Welfare Centre will require use of more rooms and facilities here over the next 48 hours. The Drivers’ Rooms and First Aid areas are also currently being used as a quarantine facility for those that are ill.
“Engineers inspected our building structures this morning not only to ensure the safety of those in the Welfare Centre, but also the other buildings that we use on race night. On a positive note there has been no structural damage to any of our buildings and the racetrack, lighting towers and stables all appear to be fine.”
“When you consider that tomorrow night’s racemeeting was to be at night, the wider obligation we now have to the community in respect of the Welfare Centre and the fact that aftershocks could occur during the racemeeting which could potentially threaten the health and safety of patrons, participants and workers, the decision became easy. There’s just too much risk involved to allow us to proceed with the racemeeting tomorrow night.”
All events scheduled at Addington Raceway through until Sunday 12 September have been cancelled including two greyhound race meetings and the Great NZ Craft Show. Addington expects next Monday’s trials to be conducted as planned and that harness racing will resume next Friday night for the feature Avon City Ford/Ordeal Cup meeting.
Credit: Shane Gloury