Jockeys Leith Innes (rails) riding Honeymoon Sova and Chad Ormsby on Accardo. Photo / Martin Sykes
Jockeys Leith Innes and Chad Ormsby gave the Ellerslie track the all clear after galloping on it yesterday afternoon.
Innes on Honeymoonzova and smart sprinter Accardo, with Ormsby aboard, galloped 800m and both jockeys were delighted with the way the tricky home turn patch that caused Saturday's postponement
handled.
Both were asked by stipendiary steward Matthew Williamson before the gallop to ensure they rode the horses along on the 200m stretch rounding the home bend to get a good guide on the safety of the track.
"I asked Leith and Chad to make sure they were off the bit on the corner and although it's not a full field in racing mode, it's the best we could do in the circumstances," said Williamson.
Everyone was satisfied there will be no ongoing problems from the slippery nature of Saturday's track.
"The horses got good purchase and you couldn't get a better galloping surface than what we had today," said Williamson.
"It's fine," said Innes, who was one of the jockeys who declared he would have been happy to continue racing on Saturday, despite major concerns by some of his colleagues.
The running rail, out 11 metres from the true position on Saturday, has been brought in two metres for today.
"We've also taken some of the curve off the home bend and made it more friendly," said general manager Chris Weaver.
Wahid's trainer Allan Sharrock, among the most vocal in the hour after racing was halted on Saturday, said he was very happy with developments.
"Our camp is very appreciative of the efforts by the Auckland Racing Club to make sure this big race is run and the horses get the race they need for on-going engagements. It's very important."
The ARC is paying travel subsidies for horses that race today, eliminating the eventuality of owners having to pay two float fees to get to Ellerslie.
It was expected by the ARC that the meeting would be called by Alby Gain in the absence of George Simon.
