Racing: Officials find track fit

The Counties Cup meeting next month is to be run at Pukekohe as planned, says New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR).

A Counties meeting at Pukekohe on Wednesday was cancelled because jockeys considered the track unsafe following extensive sewerage and drainage work. There has been no racing at Pukekohe for nearly a year.

Doubt was also placed on the Counties Cup meeting on November 19 being run at Pukekohe but NZTR, in conjunction with the Counties Racing Club, yesterday said the meeting would not be transferred.

Yesterday the track was inspected by officials and "there was joint agreement the racing surface was in a condition suitable for racing".

NZTR said engineering and turf consultants' reports conducted over recent days had stated the areas under which drainage work had been undertaken are in line with other areas of the course proper.

"There were no soft spots, nominal shrinkage and no areas with edges. Whilst there is a slight visual difference in turf colouring this will be corrected by fertilising the entire course."

Counties president Stephen Cole said 25 horses worked on the course proper on Thursday and jockeys and trainers were happy with the condition of the track.

- NZPA