Te Rapa Racing dispels unofficial claims of an unsafe track
TE Rapa Racing General Manager, Ken Rutherford, has dispelled unofficial claims that the Waikato-based racing surface was unsafe.
The claims were posted on a New Zealand online racing forum from a prominent racing figure and former jockey after four-year-old colt Naadirr broke down in the Become A Member Of The Waikato Racing Club R65 on August 5.
“Just a thought but there seem to be a lot of catastrophic shearing type injuries there now, compound fractures of the canon bone / fetlock / pastern type injuries,” the forum poster said.
“These are the exact same type of injuries you see with unsafe percolated wax based AW tracks in the north, could it be that this track is breaking down and layering with a slippery base now?”
Rutherford wasn’t made aware of any official claims about the Te Rapa track being unsafe and believes it’s merely rumours.
“There is nothing to report here,” Rutherford told Horsebetting.com.au. “What happened last time with Naadirr was unfortunate.
“The issue around Naadirr was exacerbated by the vet not putting the right amount of tranquilliser in the poor horse.
“When the drug was administered, the horse had a bad reaction, it was horrible.
“Whether it was track related, I’d have no doubts about that.”
Rutherford was quick to point out the rate of fatality at Te Rapa over the last few years – stating that besides one jumping meeting the record doesn’t suggest the sand-slit surface has anything to do with any injury issues.
“If you work on 180 races a year with an average field size of 10, that’s 1800 horse a year. Over four years that’s 7000-odd horses and only one has died,” Rutherford said.
“We had three on the jumps day a couple of years ago that had to be euthanised, but that’s because of jumps.
“In terms of the track, I’d be the first person to put my hand up if there was an issue.”
Because of the nature of the claims, Rutherford isn’t in a position to take action. He believes if an official complaint is made, then Te Rapa Racing will look into the matter.
“If someone was to ring up and say we’ve had comments from official people of concern, trainers and jockeys, clearly there would be something to answer to, but I loathe to make a comment when they’re not official,” he said
“That’s where I sit.”
Te Rapa is preparing for the Foxbridge Plate (Saturday, August 19) and will be hoping the forecast improves.
“We’re just hoping the weather stays good. It’s not great next week, a lot of rain forecast,” Rutherford said.
“The track is a slow 9/heavy 10 – that might deter those spring horses from coming.
“That’s going to be the concern for us.”
Rutherford, commonly known in Australia for his prowess with the cricket bat, is a keen racing enthusiast and he gave Horsebetting an insight into a potential Melbourne spring contender.
“I saw Andrew (Forsman) last night, he’s excited about his horses going over for their spring campaigns,” Rutherford said. “They worked here on Monday and I know Murray (Baker) likes a three-year-old called Weather With You – he’s aiming it for the VRC Derby ($26 at Sportsbet.com.au).
“The obvious ones are Bonneval and Jon Snow, but he said “Ken, I’ve got a three-year-old and you’ll really like it,” so keep an eye on that one.”
Weather With You has had two starts in New Zealand for one placing, which came behind Queensland-performed Qiji Phoenix at Ellerslie. Rutherford believes it will head straight to Australia with high hopes.
“I don’t think it’s even going to race here in New Zealand, straight to Aussie,” he said.
“For Murray to take one over there without much exposed form, he must really like it.”