Racing: Ellerslie track to get silt sand treatment

Work will start on upgrading the Ellerslie track immediately after the Easter carnival next month.

Arrangements are being made to hold the Auckland Racing Club's two April meetings at other tracks in the northern region while Ellerslie is closed.

The board of the Auckland Racing Club yesterday announced the major refurbishment, which would be undertaken over the next 15 months to ensure the best racing surface is available at New Zealand's leading thoroughbred racing venue.

The project is similar to the successful rejuvenation of the Te Rapa track, undertaken by the Waikato Racing Club.

ARC chief executive Chris Weaver said the club had been criticised about the state of the track and how it held water, particularly during winter.

"The track refurbishment is a major component of the vision the board has for the strategic development of Ellerslie," said Weaver.

The board reviewed advice from the NZ Sports Turf Institute and drainage experts, Beca Infrastructure Ltd.

Beca Infrastructure has been working with the club since before Christmas, assessing the state of the drains and has already removed 40 tonnes of silt from the existing system.

After deliberations on the financial, marketing and climatic implications of further refurbishments, the board unanimously resolved to embark on a programme of sand silt drainage on the Ellerslie track.

To achieve the required changes the project will be conducted in two separate phases.

Phase one is the laying of lateral drains.

The work to lay lateral drains from the 1600m to the 1100m mark, (which does not have laterals) on the course proper will start on March 29, immediately after the Ellerslie Easter Carnival.

Racing will recommence at Ellerslie on May 28.

Phase two, which involves the application of sand slit drainage, is planned to start immediately after the Auckland Cup carnival in early March 2006 with a view to racing again at Ellerslie over Queen's Birthday weekend in June 2006.

"This approach is consistent with the two-autumn approach undertaken by the Waikato Racing Club when they completed their upgrade, and causes the least disruption to racing at Ellerslie with only four-five meetings being affected over the project period," said Weavers.

He said the club was committed to upgrading the entire racing experience at Ellerslie.

"This project is in line with our strategic vision of providing the best racing surface, the best hospitality facilities, the best racing available and the best return to Industry stakeholders," said Weaver.