Racing: Rangiora jinx under spotlight

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is awaiting written reports from officials for an investigation into why a top rider fell at Rangiora Racecourse - the fourth serious incident at the racecourse since 2001.

Leading woman rider Judy Lawson was badly hurt on Monday when her mount, Strike It Lucky, fell in the first race of the North Canterbury Racing Club's meeting.

Lawson, 34, was listed as seriously ill in the intensive care unit at Christchurch Hospital yesterday afternoon.

Former top apprentice Tracey Newton, 23, who received shoulder injuries and was concussed when her horse, Omoto Babee, was brought down in the same incident, was discharged after treatment.

The race meeting, which had been postponed from Sunday because of greasy track conditions, was abandoned after the first race.

Monday's accident was the latest in a list of accidents involving deaths and injuries at the Rangiora Racecourse dating from 1965, which has left many racing identities believing the track is jinxed.

In 2002, South Canterbury horsewoman Jo McGartland was killed when she fell from True Justice and was trampled by a following horse in the back straight.

The previous year stablehand Tess Ryan suffered serious head injuries when her mount March To Glory attempted to jump over a crossing on the track and landed on top of Ryan.

Last February a meeting was abandoned after northern apprentice Kelly Myers narrowly escaped injury when Una's Legend fell.

NZTR chief executive Paul Bittar confirmed an investigation into the incident was under way.

Bittar said he was awaiting written reports from the chief stipendiary steward at the racecourse, Stewart Ching, and other officials. This was routine after any such serious incident involving injuries at a race meeting.

He said he expected to have the reports within a day or two.

Earlier, Ching was reported as saying everything that could reasonably have been done to make the track safe between Sunday, when it was too slippery for racing, and Monday, had been done.

"We put a lot of water on it to give more grip to the horses," he said.

"Two horses cantered over the track [Monday morning] and Live The Reality had a full gallop. Those horses marked the track, but were able to get a grip ... It seemed safe."

- NZPA