Racing: Avondale returns to racing

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has confirmed a return to racing at Avondale next month after an absence of more than two years.

The Avondale Jockey Club (AJC) announced on May 24, 2010 it was relinquishing all its licences for the 2010-11 racing season.

The AJC successfully conducted a full trials meeting at the track last week on a heavy surface after 35mm of overnight rain. NZTR national venue inspector Garry Foskett reported that all riders were very complimentary of the track.

An inspection of the Avondale track in March this year recommended that it be given more time to consolidate.

NZTR has continued to monitor the track and after 39 horses galloped on the course proper in July it was agreed that a full trials meeting would be scheduled for September 4.

A total of 105 horses contested 14 heats at the trials. Senior riders, including Mark Du Plessis, Leith Innes, Jason Waddell, Sam Spratt, Vinnie Colgan and Opie Bosson, reported that the track, while heavy, was very even across the entire surface.

NZTR has since had support for racing to begin at Avondale on Monday, October 1 from the NZ Jockeys' Association, Trainers' Association, Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners' Federation, RIU stipendiary steward Alan Coles and a full report from Foskett.

The AJC has been allocated eight mid-week licences for the remainder of the 2012-13 racing season.

The club's flagship races, the Group 2 Avondale Cup and Avondale Guineas, will still be run at Ellerslie next February.