Jason Fulford is confident his "baby" will be spot on for the return of racing to Ellerslie today.
Fulford is the track manager for the iconic Auckland racetrack which today hosts its first race meeting since June, having been closed because the Covid border meant there weren't enough jockeys in the Auckland region to hold an Ellerslie-level meeting.
But while it hasn't had the regular racing Ellerslie would usually have had by this stage of the season, Fulford says the surface is ideal.
"It has a wonderful sole of grass and has enough give under the surface to get the best out of the horses," Fulford says.
"I was worried a few months back when we couldn't get the staff here to do the usual maintenance but we have been able to get a lot done since.