Track developer StrathAyr has confirmed the Elwick track is responding as expected to the amount of horse traffic it has afforded in the lead-up to the June 21 meeting which was the first held at the venue post the COVID-19 shutdown.
An extraordinary number of trials and grass gallops in the weeks leading up to that eight-race program led to some riders making use of the outside part of the track towards the end of the meeting.
StrathAyr managing director Frank Casimaty inspected the Elwick track following the June 21 meeting and delivered a positive report in answer to the criticism of the track received from some industry participants.
Tasracing track manager Sam Webster confirmed there has been a change in fertiliser that is expected to advance growth and assist in other areas as the track endures its bedding down period.
Tasracing CEO Paul Eriksson said the Elwick track had been pushed exceptionally hard since the return to trials on 18th May and had held up very well considering it is still very much settling in.
Whether the rail should have been shifted is academic. A decision was made a week out to retain the rail in the 8m position, our view was that this was the best overall result given there were two more meetings 5th July and 19th July before the track had a break.
The rail is currently being shifted to 13m which was as we had planned. There is no damage to the track and it should recover well for the start of the spring racing.