Racing: Sand woes at Ruakaka

The club's October 2 raceday had to be abandoned around the time of the first race when the track was deemed to be dangerous because of sand blown onto the course. Photo / Thinkstock

Wind-blown sand is again causing problems at Ruakaka in advance of Wednesday's race meeting.

An inspection of the track about 11.30am today will determine the suitability for racing on Wednesday.

The club's October 2 raceday had to be abandoned around the time of the first race when the track was deemed to be dangerous because of sand blown onto the course proper by high winds on race eve.

"This [new case] came as a bit of a surprise to us," said Dean Logan, local trainer and president of the Whangarei Racing Club.

Logan said a road sweeper and a large vacuum had been ordered for this morning. Immediately after that an inspection will take place and a decision be made about Wednesday.

"We want a decision by mid-day because if we don't race we won't have Thursday's barrier trials either and by deciding by mid-day trainers thinking of using our trials can nominate instead for the Cambridge trials.

"The track at the moment looks like it did after we'd tried to fix it for the last meeting and the jockeys and stewards didn't like it that day."