Harness Racing NSW chief executive John Dumesny says problems with the surface at Riverina Paceway 'will be rectified' as soon as possible.
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After minimal rain last Friday, concerns were raised about the track's ability to handle wet weather. A meeting was abandoned early in July following a small amount of rain.
"We are fully across the issue with the track and it will be rectified," Dumesny said. "We're working with the local contractor, who's done a wonderful job on a wonderful facility... we're on top of it."
After next Saturday's meeting, the Wagga club races only once in six weeks, opening opportunities for work to fit around the November 12 meeting and before December 6.
It's believed the top layer will be replaced, with trainers and drivers concerned about clay coming up from underneath when it rains, making for a greasy surface.
Dumesny was impressed by the turnout at a meeting in Wagga on Thursday when nearly 70 harness racing personnel from across the region gathered to discuss a wide range of issues. It was the biggest roll-up senior officials have come across in their meetings around the state.
"Things (raised) that were within race programming that we're able to accomplish were no different to what was brought forward elsewhere (around the state)... like protecting three-year-olds, protecting maidens," Dumesny said.
"We didn't give assurances but we said we've heard that everywhere. We'll go back and see what is said elsewhere and come back to them... we don't do anything that's not data-backed and we do what's best for the entire industry."
Riverina trainers were cautiously pleased about the initial response but want to see talk turn into action.
"Harness Racing NSW's attitude on the night was quite encouraging," Junee trainer Matt Harris said.
"They seemed to hear our demands and listened... I think everyone left on the night feeling pretty good. Our main concern now is that we've put our views forward and they need to act. We need to see some action."
Harris said he was speaking on behalf of trainers as a collective.
Wagga trainer Paul Kahlefeldt confirmed the sentiment.
"Hopefully there'll be a few significant changes," Kahlefeldt said. "Last time we went through the whole thing, nothing happened, but I think this time it will."
Kahlefeldt said he's keen to see 10-horse fields, rather than the congestion of 12, and said trainers want more races for two- and three-year-olds, to avoid having to push them into open class too soon.
Trainers are also hoping to see the ratings for races narrowed to ensure horses are racing against opposition of a closely similar standard.
"At the moment the rating classes are too wide... it's too unfair for the lower-rated horses. But they're going to bring them closer together which will be of great benefit," Kahlefeldt said.
"If they bring the gaps down to about five ratings points it'll give the trainers a better opportunity to place their horses."
Kahlefeldt said strong attendance at the meeting was an indication of the sport's strength in the Riverina on the back of the new Paceway opening.
"That (enthusiasm) has been here since the new club - we needed the Riverina Paceway and we waited that long for it. So the new track has been great, except for the surface," Kahlefeldt said.
"Trainers are more enthusiastic and people are getting more horses back. The number of horses racing in this area is bigger than anywhere else, definitely in NSW."
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