News

CHRISTCHURCH GREYHOUND RACING CLUB NEWSLETTER MARCH 2011 Addington Raceway While racing is all set to resume at Addington the Public Stand will be off limits and out of action for an indefinite period of time. Structural Engineers have inspected the Public Stand and have declared that it cannot be entered under any circumstances and that it is unsafe for occupation. A fenced safety cordon has been erected around the Public Stand preventing access in accordance with instructions from Structural Engineers. The future of the Public Stand remains uncertain and will depend upon further Structural and Geotechnical reporting to be undertaken. Repairs to a concrete drain and some stanchions have been undertaken on the Greyhound Track via our insurance company. Some other minor concrete damage was also identified when the Insurance Loss Adjusters visited the track. Christchurch Ready Mix delivered its remaining stock of our sand mix during March enabling the track to be topped up under Duncan Laings supervision during our earthquake enforced recess. Ready Mix has been ask to make another batch of our mix but is unable to do this at present due to other earthquake commitments such as liquefaction and rubble removal etc. Another top up will be done when our mix is available. The Christchurch City Council still advises to boil drinking water. Trainers should bring their own drinking water for themselves and greyhounds. The club via the Stipes will purchase and provide bottled water for swabbing purposes until normal water supply is cleared. Trainers should note that traffic in the city is hectic at certain times so please ensure to leave home in plenty of time for kennelling. 2011/2012 Race Dates The dates have been all but settled with the NZRB. The pattern of dates is very similar to last season with Dual Codes still out of favour. The club has requested extra races when nominations permit on Fridays next season. The club has also asked for additional races on Fridays to compensate for lost race numbers during the earthquake. The club is grateful to the Otago GRC for conducting Friday race meetings while Addington was closed. NZRS Sprint Series This series scheduled for March has now been rescheduled for Heats 26th May and Final 2nd June 2011 Trials Parking for Trials will be from the Rugby League Grounds permanently. Catering at Addington Raceway With a large number of radio station staff working from Twiggers, the Club will now have access to a permanent cafeteria set up by Addington during all Noon Start Greyhound Race Meetings. The cafe in the Birdcage will not operate on these days but food purchased at the cafe can be brought through to the Birdcage Bar. Access to the cafe will be signposted from our side of the Lindauer Roof. The club is trialing a $15 Steak, Salad and Fries night from the Christian Cullen Level on New Zealand Oaks Night. Diners can reserve a table or purchase casually on the night. Buy your own drinks. A vending machine has been placed in Trainers Room with a wider variety of drinks available ($1.50 per can). We have provided a fridge for trainers to bring their own food and drinks. Upcoming Trackside Dining Night is Thursday 7 July 2011 for the New Zealand Stayers Cup and South Island Championship. Club Apparel Dont forget the branded caps and apparel available in the Club Office. The club is in the process of purchasing black sleeveless vests for handlers on race day. You will also be available to purchase your own vest. CGRC Field Selection The Club has had a response to its query regarding the SI Selection policy from Otago GRC. We are still awaiting Southlands response. The club will keep trainers informed of progress. Tony Music Secretary

Addington Raceway has been checked by EQC Engineers and TAB Technicians and the all clear has been given to resume Greyhound Racing as per “On Track” schedules. The next race meeting will be held Thursday 31 March 2011. The Christchurch City Council are still recommending drinking water be boiled so trainers are advised to bring their own water for their greyhounds and themselves as required. The Stipendiary Stewards are to provide sealed water drink bottles for swabbing purposes. Free trials will be held at Addington on Thursday March 24th starting at Noon. Normal paid weekly trials resume on Monday 28th March at Noon. Thanks to Addington Raceway for allowing a 2nd trial day while the races were transferred to Otago GRC. Thanks to Otago GRC for conducting race meetings whilst Addington was out of action. Tony Music Manager 22 March 2011

As advised on Friday the meetings scheduled for Addington on Thursday & Friday (March 24th & 25th) have been cancelled and a new meeting will be held in Otago on Friday 25th carding 19 races if nominations permit. Addington is being carefully checked this week to ensure that there are no safety concerns following the earthquake and we expect to receive the “all clear” enabling the resumption of racing on March 31st. In the meantime free trials will be held at Addington on Thursday March 24th starting at 12pm.

Tony I confirm that I have today attended a meeting of your committee, Club Vet, Trainers Representatives and Stipes and I have listened to all sides of the arguments. I have inspected the track at 1pm today and I have reviewed the track tapes to review the accidents. The issues that I see that are factual are; The larger water cart has increased the delivery of water, and has also contributed to increased compaction of the sands. The increased traffic on the track (vehicle) has led me to believe that the track turning/disking/maintenance needs to be increased. To that end I recommend 1. The track is now disked weekly and re-laid 2. The current club audit process of measuring moisture content/ water and penetration levels is trebled in terms of spot measurements 3. That the use of the larger water cart is limited between racing because it delivers too much water and increases compaction. What I’m looking for is a track that has a better cushion as opposed to a hard track that appears to be the case. Only the small water cart should be used between races. I confirm that I will attend the track over the next week including trials and racing until I’m satisfied that all stake holders are happy. Regards Duncan Laing Consultant Ph.021320400

Trials this season will generally be every Monday due to the change of race days to mainly Thursdays and Fridays. Trials on Monday will therefore be Noon - 2pm When NO Trot Trials are on. On these occasions trials will commence 2:30pm - 4.30pm

The Board of the Christchurch Greyhound Racing Club has resolved to retain the New Zealand Oaks Stake at $31,500 as previously advertised in the GRNZ ON TRACK publication. This years sponsor is Stablemate the manufacturer of the clubs new single level kennels. A free service to BORAT will be available to the connections of the winner of this years Oaks.

The Clubs race meeting on 12 February 2008 will be the last using our kennel block. From the race meeting on Tuesday 19 February we will be using a temporary kennel block located at the end of the Public Stand behind Race Images. Parking and empty out area will be the same as for Wednesday Trials. The builders have indicated that our new kennel block will be completed around Cup Week in November 2008. The Club Office will be located beside the temporary kennel block in a Portacom unit. Most of the existing kennels, air-conditioning etc will be relocated to the temporary site. On race day greyhounds will parade to the track using the same gate we use at trials. Stir ups will be beside the 520m boxes and handlers will parade up the front straight to walk to the 295m traps. After a race is completed all handlers will parade back via the birdcage where a new exit gate will allow us to walk back to the kennels area. There is likely to be a need to tweak some of our procedures until we settle into the new accommodation and the club asks all trainers and handlers for their patience during this settling in period. Public Toilets are located via the Metropolitan Inn Room entrance.