While locals worked around the Te Aroha track earlier this week, a number of horses from Shaun Clotworthy’s stable travelled to gallop there today (Wednesday) on a Good4 surface.

A small team of horses were ridden by Ace Lawson-Carroll, Hamish McNeil and Masa Hashizume with all riders complimentary post-trackwork. Trainer Shaun Clotworthy commented, “All three riders reported positively in terms of both the cambers and grass cover. They also rode both the 1600m and 1200m chutes noting that these areas blended in well with the course proper. The track was in good order and rode well.”

This followed feedback from club officials, the track manager and regional track advisor that they were very happy with the recent progress made and looked forward to resuming racing on the fully renovated course.

The next step will be to run a restricted number of barrier trials comprising Open and Maiden horses on Thursday 4 May with RIB representatives in attendance and senior riders taking part. After these trials there will also be horses schooling on the track as part of the return-to-racing schedule.

The first raceday is scheduled for Monday 5 June.