Local gallopers welcome as Newcastle works on Tapeta surface

PA Sport Reporters
December 26, 2022 3:14 pm

Weekend fixtures on the all-weather were called off.

Newcastle will welcome locally-trained horses to gallop on the all-weather track before the next scheduled meeting on December 20 takes place after fixtures on Saturday and Sunday were abandoned.

Saturday’s meeting was called off less than an hour before the first race after trainers and jockeys deemed the track to be frozen in places.

Clerk of the course Eloise Quayle disagreed, but despite working the track through Saturday night, Sunday’s meeting was also abandoned.

A statement on Newcastle’s website read: “The Tapeta surface at Newcastle has been routinely worked throughout this period of cold weather, and will undergo further deep work in the coming days.

“We’ve done absolutely everything we could”
Newcastle’s clerk of the course Eloise Quayle explains what work they have been undertaking this week to prepare for today’s meeting, which was abandoned after concerns over parts of the track being frozen… pic.twitter.com/vIftYhfbNe

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 10, 2022

“We do not wish to open a debate as to the suitability of the surface last weekend, but will be doing this work alongside representatives of the team at Tapeta Footings, the manufacturer of the surface, and other surface experts.

“Following any deep work, the track will be left ‘open’ with overnight frosts forecast. Temperatures in the region are forecast to improve from Sunday, December 18.

“A Synthetic Surface Audit that was undertaken on Tuesday December 6 by PSD Agronomy found that the surface at Newcastle had no structural issues, and confirmed that drainage systems were all working properly, hence our surprise that the surface did not pass the requisite inspections.”

Mark Spincer, managing director of Arena Racing Company’s racing division, said: “Once again, we would like to apologise for the inconvenience to those involved in Saturday’s Flat fixture at Newcastle and for the early abandonment of Sunday’s meeting.

“As we have previously stated, the team have followed all of the standard operating procedures in preparing the track in cold temperatures, but moving forward, we want to make sure that everyone involved has confidence in the surface.

“We are grateful for the ongoing support of our colleagues at Tapeta Footings, and look forward to working with them. We will benefit from their experience of working with the surface in various conditions. As we prepare for racing on Tuesday December 20, we will welcome locally-trained horses to gallop to confirm the preparation of the surface.”