Racing returns to Ellerslie on Saturday May
28
23 May 2005
After extensive drainage work on the Ellerslie racecourse, as stage one of
a two part process, racing will return to Ellerslie on Saturday May 28.
The track refurbishments at Ellerslie are modelled on the sand slit
drainage projects that have proven so successful in recent years at both the
Te Rapa and Awapuni racetracks.
The final piece in the first stage of the project was completed earlier
today when prominent trainers Trevor and Stephen McKee brought four horses to
Ellerslie to assess the fitness of the racing surface for Saturday's
meeting.
Experienced riders Lee Tiley, Matthew Williamson, Nathan Hanley and Bob
Vance galloped the four horses in company over the area of works from the
crossing to the 1070m mark and were glowing in their comments as to its
readiness for racing.
Stipendiary Steward Alan Cole inspected the area and gave his seal of
approval for the return of racing this Saturday.
"With the up coming Queens Birthday Carnival it was important to have the
track passed fit for racing by such experienced horsepersons", commented
Director of Racing Andrew Castles.
The rail will be at 10.5m this Saturday before being moved to the true
position for the two day meeting at Queens Birthday weekend.
After recent rain in Auckland the track is still in remarkably good order
with a penetrometer reading of 3.2 Easy.
Saturday the 28th sees the running of the listed Great Northern Foal Stakes
for 2 year olds as well as the McGregor Grant Steeplechase, as the lead up to
Queens Birthday Monday's Northern Steeples over 4900m and for a stake of
$50,000.
For any further information contact:
Andrew Castles
ARC Director of Racing
09 522 3818
021 384
289
