Recently completed Audits of the Te Aroha track have identified several areas with compaction of the soil. This poor soil structure and function needs to be addressed prior to the resumption of racing therefore it was agreed that the Return to Racing date will be delayed until March 2023,

NZ Thoroughbred Racing, Regional Track Advisor Graeme Styles and Racing Te Aroha Club Representatives have agreed a comprehensive plan including Deep Aeration, Verti-drain, Coring and Fertiliser to alleviate the issues. This plan will be carried out over the next 4 weeks and once complete a revised Return to Racing timeline will be advised working towards a March 10 resumption.

This will require the scheduled January 3 & February 15 dates to be transferred. These will now be run at Matamata & Tauranga respectively.

As advertised the R75 1600m Coastwood Homes Lockwood Thames Cup will be contested on January 3 at Matamata for a stake of $20,000.