Racing: Greymouth meeting moved as track judged unfit

The Greymouth Jockey Club will hold its January 14 meeting at Kumara because the Omoto track has failed a warrant of fitness.

A New Zealand Thoroughbred Industry track inspection committee gave the Omoto surface the thumbs down last week, during a national track inspection.

Greymouth Jockey Club president Jill Bennington said the committee had concerns during an earlier inspection and could not give it a complete pass on the recent second visit.

"They were happy with the track, except for one section leading into the straight. There were some wet patches and an inconsistent surface," she said.

Riccarton track manager Bart Cowan was to do a complete resurface and draining project at Omoto.

Senior riders Jamie Bates and Brian Hibberd voiced their concerns and declined to ride at Omoto for the January meeting.

Ironically, Kumara had to abandon its January 2004 Gold Nuggets meeting after just four races due to heavy rain and deteriorating track conditions.

The Kumara track has since been given the green light from the inspection committee and Kumara Racing Club president Tony Connors was adamant the historic course will handle two days of racing.

"The track is great at present and our troubles are now behind us," he said.

Bennington said the Greymouth Club was indebted to Kumara. "We just cannot afford for our track not to be right on race day - there is so much pressure and a lot at stake now.

"We want our track to be right for 2007 as that will be our 140th year."

Kumara officials are following a programme set by the inspection committee and will run trotting trials in a couple of weeks.

Westland Racing Club president John Wood said Kumara should not make the same mistake as Counties, which had to abandon its meeting after the first race.

"Personally I would hope Kumara runs galloping trials or even jump-outs. Trotting trials won't test the track and jockeys, trainers and owners need confidence for racing on the West Coast," he said.

The Westland Racing Club has not yet had the all-clear from the inspection committee for the Hokitika track but Wood expects to learn the outcome this week: "I believe we will pass."

Thoroughbred Racing Industry delegate Gary Foskett said the purpose of the inspections was to bring the industry facilities and tracks up to scratch.

"We're not there to close down the tracks, that is not the purpose of the exercise.

"We have a format written out making sure everything is up to standard in respect to safety. The running rails, fences, track surfaces, stables, conditions of buildings and fire permits are up to date. We are there to help, have a look and get up to speed," Foskett said.

* Last week it was announced that the Waikouaiti Racing Club's annual meeting on January 1 had been transferred to Wingatui following its inspection.

- NZPA