The feature race meeting scheduled for Sunday at Elwick will proceed as planned, following a final track inspection on Thursday by trainers and stewards.
Remedial work had to be carried out on the track surface following the abandonment of a meeting at Elwick on December 27 when grassed plugs used to repair patches of the surface were deemed unstable.
A dozen horses galloped on the track earlier this week (Tuesday) after which riders and trainers agreed the remedial work has been successful.
Trainer Angela Brakey travelled from Longford to take part in today’s track inspection.
“That’s the best I’ve seen the track look since we first raced on it around this time last year,” Brakey said.
“The transformation from December 27 to what I saw today is quite amazing.”
Brighton trainer Stephen Lockhart, who has Shady Hustle engaged in the Summer Cup on Sunday, was equally impressed.
“The track is in pretty good order and it is only going to improve as each week passes and I’m looking forward to running my mare in the Summer Cup here on Sunday,” Lockhart said.
Jockeys also were invited to attend the inspection, but none took up the offer.
The Elwick track has undergone three inspections including track gallops since the remedial work started on December 28.
“Today’s final inspection of the repair work is in accordance with the process we put in place when the work began,” said Tasracing CEO Paul Eriksson.
This Sunday’s eight-race meeting boasts three feature races, comprising the $100,000 Listed Tasmanian Bloodstock Elwick Stakes for two-year-olds, the Steve’s Liquor Thousand Guineas for 3YO fillies and the Tasmanian Bloodstock Summer Cup (2200m) that boasts a quality line-up.