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The section from the 600m mark, including the home turn and straight at Gosford Race Club, was reconstructed during 2024.

Race meetings on the 22nd February and the 17th March were run successfully without fault. Up to this time, in excess of three hundred (300) horses had galloped over the track without incident.

During the running of a race meeting on the 27th March, a horse slipped on the home turn. The race meeting was subsequently abandoned.

It was identified that a hard layer or ‘Crust’ had formed at the top of the profile. This layer, in sections, had restricted horses from breaking the surface of the track, thus causing a slip.

The track was remediated via extensive Verti-Draining and slicing. A set of track gallops was then conducted under supervision from RNSW stewards. As horses were found to be provided with good footing, the track was deemed suitable for racing.

However, at the race meeting on the 10th of April, a smaller slip occurred after the winning post and, subsequently, the meeting was abandoned.

Given the recurrence of a slip, it was essential that the Club devise a more intensive remediation plan.

The Club engaged the services of Evergreen Turf, the consultants who remediated the Gold Coast Turf Club's track at the recent Magic Millions carnival.

It was identified that the track was still too firm, and this ‘crust’ layer needed to be broken down and de-compacted. 5-6mm of course drainage sand was top-dressed into the surface of the profile, which equates to approximately 150 tonnes.

An Agri-Vator was then worked over the new track sections. This device is specifically designed to break up hard soil layers, decompress soil and aerate the profile.

The track was assessed with a ‘going stick’ prior to these works. A going stick measures the compaction of the soil and gives a reading as to the resistance of the profile. The measurement scale ranges from 0 to 15 with 0 being soft and 15 being firm.

A reading of mid to high 7’s being deemed as ‘Good’ going. We then conducted the same measurements post-works, the results of which are shown in the table below.

It was clear that the decompaction process had seen positive results.

A further set of gallops occurred today, the 17th April, with RNSW stewards in attendance.

Senior Jockeys Josh Parr, Tommy Berry, and top apprentice Anna Roper were among the riders who galloped thirteen (13) horses over the relevant sections of the track. The feedback was that there has been a notable improvement. Horses could break into the profile and gain purchase on the surface. No signs of slips were encountered.

Based on the feedback of the Jockeys in attendance, turf experts and RNSW stewards, it was recommended that the race meeting on Anzac Day proceed as planned with a view to conducting The Coast meeting scheduled for Saturday, 10th of May.

The Club acknowledges the inconvenience this has caused industry participants, and we thank you for your patience.

For further information, please contact Gosford Race Club CEO Daniel Lacey – daniell@theeg.com.au.