By Matt Markham
A new look racing surface at Rangiora will be unveiled for the Rangiora Harness Racing Club’s meeting on Sunday.
Major remedial work has been undertaken on the track in recent weeks which has resulted in a brand new surface being laid and the expectation is that a surface that is better than has ever been offered at the track previously will be on show on Sunday.
Harness Racing New Zealand’s Venue and Track Inspector, John Denton, who has overseen the process and has done similar at Addington, Forbury and Alexandra Park said the process has gone well.
“I’m confident of what will be available to race on when Sunday comes around,” he said.
“More than 300 tonnes of the old surface has been taken off the track and more than 320 tonnes of sand, which is sourced from Dunedin and is the same as what is used on the Addington track, has been put on the track.”
Denton said that Sunday was going to be the ideal time to be racing on the track due to the fresh nature of the sand as opposed to it having been compacted down by horses going around on it.
The issue with the old surface at Rangiora was to do with water following rain which wouldn’t drain away as it should.
After inspecting the track, Denton advised the club that in his opinion the best way to go forward was to strip it back and lay a new surface which is the path the Rangiora Harness Racing Club elected to follow.
This week’s inclement weather hasn’t helped the process but Denton said on Friday night that the track was ready to go for Sunday’s meeting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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