Meeting to be held on Labour Day

The Oamaru Jockey Club meeting abandoned yesterday has been rescheduled for Labour Day.

Warm weather had firmed the Oamaru track up to a good2 surface by Wednesday afternoon, but light rain later that night left parts of the track in a concerning state, chairman of stewards Mark Davidson said.

One of his stewards inspected the track early yesterday morning, and expressed his concerns to Davidson.

"He was very concerned the track had got to a good2 and was very firm and, with light drizzling rain on it, there were certain parts of the track that he was very concerned for the safety of horse and rider," Davidson said.

"So the option was to make the call early. If they had 10ml [or more] overnight and it had taken it out to a dead stage, you would be OK.

"After an inspection by the RIU steward, his recommendation was for it to not go ahead."

A release from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing said the rain which fell yesterday was expected to be significant enough to provide sufficient give for the meeting to proceed on Monday.

The track will be aerated.

"The RIU will conduct a further inspection on Sunday but all parties are confident the meeting will proceed," the statement said.

The fields remain as originally published, with scratchings reinstated.

The first race is at 12.22pm, with the last at 5.03pm.

Add a Comment