TAMWORTH Jockey Club’s renovated track has received an A grade assessment from a hard taskmaster, a glowing report from the club’s acting general manager and a ringing endorsement from many trainers from all over the region as it prepares for a big eight race meeting.
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The TJC received 146 nominations this week for Tuesday’s TAB-covered meeting with full fields expected when final acceptances are taken at 9am today.
Hunter and North West Racing Association’s chief steward, Shane Cullen, said the recovery of the track from a September 27 mauling was impressive.
“The track was so badly damaged from (racing) that September 27 meeting,” Shane Cullen said today.
“The worst I’ve seen since probably Play David winning the Coffs Harbour Cup back in the ‘80s.
“It was damaged so badly it underwent a very significant repair job.”
The horses dug out the track so badly. That’s why the Melbourne Cup meeting was held on the B Grass and the October 14 meeting transferred to Gunnedah.
“We’ve had the track de-thatched, aerated, top dressed and fertilised. Part of the track is still a little away from use, that’s why we have the rail out 5m and won’t have full sized fields.
“At this stage I’d give it an A minus grading but if it keeps improving will be A plus by the time we race on December 5.”
He said 12 horses will be permitted to run in the 1200 and 1400m races and 10 in the 1600m and 2100m events.
A 1000m race has also been elongated to 1200m.
He also said work on the new 1000m chute has begun and “by this time year next year will be superb”.
Tamworth Jockey Club’s acting general manager, Helen Sinclair, is delighted with the progress of the course proper following its recent renovation.
“The de-thatching, aeration and fertilising that took place mid-October has made an amazing improvement to our course proper," she said.
“It is also a standalone (NSW) meeting and great to get 146 nominations.
“The rail will be out 5m but trainers are coming from all over the place to race.”
First race jumps at 12pm.
