Foxton picks up the track slack
Awapuni is out of action bringing the big fields to stretch their legs locally
Foxton racecourse has been used extensively in recent weeks for trials and jumpouts. With nearby Awapuni closed recently for further restructuring and maintenance work, the trusty Foxton track has been able to pick up the slack.
Foxton Racing Club president Steve Kupa said Foxton will host even more trial meetings in the coming weeks, with three more trial meetings confirmed for September and October. The next trial meeting is next week.
“With the Awapuni racecourse being closed shortly for track resurfacing, there is a chance that we might get extra trial meetings, however that depends on NZTR and how they allocate the restructure of those events,” he said.
The most recent trials last week saw 17 heats staged, involving 117 horses. The previous trials event a fortnight earlier saw 29 heats involving 197 horses.
A standout performance from the most recent set of trials came from Masterton horse Times Ticking, winning his trial handsomely with jockey Lisa Allpress aboard.
Times Ticking is an 8-year-old gelding by Tavistock who could be taking on Group One company at Hastings at his next start.
Trainer Alby MacGregor said, “He’s a real fine horse and we’re lucky to have him. We’ll now head to Hastings for the Arrowfield which is on the second day of their carnival and we’ll take it from there.
“He also holds a nomination for the Couplands Mile at Riccarton in November and, as we know, I like going down there, ‘cause it’s always good to see the grandchildren.”
Other horses to show out at the trials were Open heat winners Royal Flower, Platinum Sixty Six, My Father’s Gun and Idyllic.