CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 1
THURSDAY JANUARY 14, 2021
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JANUARY 14, 2021
We’re on track for May
From left, Alex Jenkins, Lynsey Satherley and Hope Trebes on the new artificial track in Cambridge. The country’s first synthetic racetrack will through a quarantine period. host a full meeting at Cambridge in May. Jockey club chief Mark Fraser-Campin Cambridge Jockey Club opened the new said there was still work to do on facilities track last year and it has been given the at the track – there are plans for a small twothumbs up by trainers. storey building with grandstand facilities The 30,000-plus square metre polytrack – but that had been put back by Covid. surface is one of three approved for the Facilities for jockeys and car parking will be country – two more will be laid at Awapuni ready by the first race day. and Riccarton. “What we will do is put on a series of The $12.75m Cambridge project started meetings in the middle of winter from May almost 12 months ago to the week – and to October, when weather can play havoc the club was able to shake off the full with grass tracks,” he said. impact of the Covid lockdown by getting a In winter other clubs with grass tracks concession to bring the team which mixes could move their meetings to Cambridge if the ingredients back from Australia to go needed, rather than announce a cancellation.
The new track is drawing trainers and horses into Cambridge. A stream of floats bring established and rising stars in throughout the week. It’s estimated about 1200 horses are in training at Cambridge – and the industry and infrastructure around it contributes millions of dollars to the region’s economy. Cambridge’s racing fraternity would be in the news each November a generation ago as they produced Melbourne Cup contenders – today the industry is considerably bigger. Nationally, it is estimated the industry ploughs $1.6 billion into the New Zealand economy each year, a fact which encouraged
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the Government to support the Cambridge project. Trainer Shawn Ritchie – who lives within shouting distance of the new track – is a fan. “From a trainer’s perspective it is consistent – it bounces back – you can work 500 horses on it, and it looks as good as when the first went round.” He said it was also beneficial for older horses and those with back issues or greasy heel – a dermatitis condition. He says the synthetic track was needed and while it hasn’t been tested in winter, he expects it to be very good.