Addington gets makeover ahead of big race nights

This week 400 tons (360 tonnes) of new material was laid at Addington Raceway ahead of a busy few weeks that includes Premier meetings on May 14 and 21.

The old product was removed from the track and replaced with a newer finer mixture that was 50/50 sand and 3cm chip.

Previously there was a 5cm chip on the surface.

“It’s exactly the same product,” says Addington Raceway’s Facilities and Property Manager John Denton, “we’ve just refined the size of the chip.”

“We have done that to reduce the kickback from horses during races.”

The work started on Monday and was completed by Wednesday afternoon, with the new surface being laid by a bottom dumper at 60 kilometres an hour.

The May 14 meeting features the $200,00 NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Colts and Geldings Pace and the Group One $120,000 Nevele R Fillies Series Final while the following Friday has the $150,000 Group One Garrards Sires’ Stakes Colts and Geldings Final and the $150,000 New Zealand Pacing Oaks.