AN information session was held at Tattersall’s Park this week to discuss the maintenance and remedial work on the tracks at the Elwick racing complex.
Neil Gardner, Tasracing’s Assets Manager of Tracks and Facilities, tabled a report during the session that included prominent Tasmanian trainers and jockeys.
Gardner outlined the issues with the tracks and how these issues can be better managed.
“The report was not designed to be a scientific document but rather a simple way of explaining the many facets and complexities of track design and management,” Gardner said.
“The discussion helped to explain elements of track management and some of the difficult decision making processes that occur that may not be popular to all participants,” he said.
Trainer Graeme McCulloch said the session was enlightening, to say the least.
“For the first time I could see what was trying to be done to improve the tracks and from what I could see Neil (Gardner) is heading us in the right direction,” McCulloch said.
“I probably understated the process more than most trainers because I have a great deal to do with soil management on my own property and the equipment and how it is going to be used was a real eye opener,” he said.
The sand slitting drainage works on the course proper were discussed at length, especially the programming of racing surrounding the work.
“I was able to explain the difficulties we face with getting the process to work correctly without making too great an impact on racing,” Gardner said.
“In general the meeting was informative with contentious issues such as track fill and rail moves being discussed with positive rather than negative outcomes,” he said.
Gardner said he plans to have regular meetings with industry participants so as to keep them informed of the progress of all works on the tracks at Tattersall’s Park.