NZTR BOARD TO CONSIDER PROPOSAL TO RESUME RACING AT RANGIORA IN JUNE 2014

Following a public meeting held at Riccarton Park Racecourse today, the Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) will consider at its 23 May meeting a proposal to resume racing at Rangiora Racecourse on 6 June 2014. 

The proposal to resume racing at Rangiora would be on the following basis:

1. To run no more than eight races
2. To limit the field size to a maximum of 10 runners
3. To position the running rail in the true position
4. To provide track conditions of Dead 5 (or below)

NZTR is calling for submissions from individuals, race clubs, industry stakeholders and any other interested parties in relation to the proposal to resume racing at Rangiora.

Thoroughbred racing and trials at Rangiora Racecourse were suspended following the serious fall of two riders at a race meeting held there on 23 October 2006.

Since June 2010 trials have been conducted at Rangiora Racecourse under strict conditions and monitored by NZTR, following agreement at a meeting of stakeholders and industry stakeholders.

A total of 19 trial days have been held at Rangiora since June 2010 with 1,250 starters, the most recent being held last month on 13 March 2013.

Garry Foskett, NZTR National Venue Inspector, stated: “We have been working with Turftech (a specialist provider of turf renovation services, drainage system construction and in-ground irrigation installation) over the last six years on improving and monitoring the track’s soil profile.“

Submissions must be sent to the following - marked ‘Rangiora’ - and to arrive no later than Monday, 13 May 2013:

Greg Purcell, Chief Executive New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, PO Box 38-386, Wellington Mail Centre

or by email to [email protected] or by fax to 04 568 8866

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