The refurbished Awapuni track passed recent trial tests but was shut down after the first race at the Anzac Day meeting today
Awapuni’s long-awaited return to racing on its newly renovated grass track has ended in disappointment
with their Anzac Day meeting abandoned after a slip in the opening race
“A horse slipped on the outside,” RACE’s general manager of racing Brad Taylor said
but we have got to have jockeys’ safety first
“They are the ones going out there and riding on it and it’s on us that this has happened
but we will learn from it and put the plans and processes in place to make amends for it and hopefully be back here in three weeks.”
The rail had been put out six metres for the meeting
and Taylor said this was done on the advice of a number of track specialists who the club has contracted over the 19-month renovation process
“There were two reasons (for putting the rail out six metres),” Taylor said
“The first one was that we had jump-outs here for local ones (horses)
where a rock was brought up when we were verti draining and a bit of repair had to go into the track
hence why the trials went out to three metres
“Then obviously we had the weather that day
we had 13ml of rain before the first (heat) and it rained throughout
but we are just following the advice of the experts
“We have had plenty of horses over it right through the process
“We will go back and work with them (experts) and the plan always was for the meeting on the 17th (of May) to go back to the true position to give that small area an extra three weeks
“It is only going to get better the more horses over the top of it and a bit more maturity
“The riders’ feedback was that it felt good under foot
we have had this one slip that we can’t hide behind and it’s been the telling factor of the track
“We will go through the process we had leading into today
learn from it and we will come back bigger and better.”
The Karaka yearling sales are a key economic driver for the New Zealand racing industry
you can now drop off your old tyres for free at Awapuni Resource Recovery Park
This is part of the Tyrewise product stewardship scheme
which was set up to help manage the disposal of old tyres in an environmentally friendly way
You can bring up to five clean tyres at a time to the park
The scheme covers all air-filled and solid tyres from motorised vehicles
says the roll out of this product stewardship scheme is great
“This scheme is a big step towards reducing waste and protecting our environment
so being able to offer free tyre drop-offs makes it even easier for our community to dispose of them responsibly.”
Tyrewise was set up to make sure old tyres are disposed of in an environmentally friendly way
Tyres were one of six priority products that were declared in the Waste Minimisation Act 2008
a small fee has been added by retailers to all new tyres sold or imported in New Zealand
The money collected over the last six months is now being used to cover the cost of getting rid of old tyres
Tyres dropped off to the Awapuni Resource Recovery Park will be used as fuel for a cement kiln
Please note that bicycle tyres and tyres from non-motorised items like prams aren’t included yet but may be added to the scheme later in the year
Dirty tyres and tyres with rims are also unable to be accepted under the scheme
The refurbished Awapuni track has passed recent trials tests
There will be no game day nerves when Awapuni relaunches for its first turf meeting in 19 months on Friday
The Palmerston North track will hold its Anzac Mile meeting on Friday afternoon for the first race day test of the new surface
The Awapuni track has been dogged by drainage issues
for the past decade and has undergone a $5.7 million refurbishment
the general manager of racing for the club’s controlling body RACE
“When the track was pulled up we saw the drains on that home bend just weren’t working,” explains Taylor
“But that wasn’t the only issue and the whole track was pulled up and re-laid
“The track now has a better camber and the drainage is so much better
“It has been a long process so we are thrilled to be back.”
Relaunching a newly-laid turf track can be a nervy process in this age of way too many race meeting cancellations but Taylor and his team are confident the Awapuni track is ready to go back to work
“I’d estimate we have had 500 horses gallop over the new surface,” he explains
“We have had jumpouts and trials and we have around 200 horses trained here using it for at least some of their work
“So it has had a lot of hooves go over it and the reports are all really positive
“We had 30 horses gallop here on it on Tuesday and even after a fair bit of rain their riders were saying it was no worse than a soft 6
We now have lateral drains that go right across the track and it has changed every thing.”
The relaunch will be highlighted by the $80,000 Manawatū ITM Anzac Mile featuring Group 1 winner He’s A Doozy while there will be an after party to celebrate the return of grass track racing to the track
The new surface will have another grass track meeting next month before the turf track is rested for the winter
improved Awapuni could be in for two huge Group 1 bonuses next season with the last two legs of the Group I Triple Crown usually held at Hastings almost certainly heading to Awapuni
With the future of the Hastings track still under a cloud the draft calendar for next season tentatively has the first of the G1 treble
down to be run at Ellerslie before both the 1600m and 2000m legs being staged at Awapuni
The 1400m Group 1 being held at Ellerslie makes sense as it is closer to the elite horse population and that race can sometimes be used as a launching point for trainers wanting to head to Australia
But the latter two legs being staged at Awapuni would keep Group 1 racing in the Central Districts for spring
if in fact that draft of the calendar becomes the official version at the next New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing calendar meeting in May
While the Triple Crown of Group 1s being moved to Ellerslie and Awapuni may alarm Hawke’s Bay racing fans
the Herald understands NZTR will make an announcement in coming weeks about the future of racing at Hastings
Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990
He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals
A bit of "Lightning McQueen" on the Gisborne track a few seasons ago
Super saloon cars will light up the Awapuni Speedway track on Saturday night after a four-year absence
Super saloon action returns to the MTF Awapuni Speedway for the first time in four years in what promises to be an action-packed meeting on Saturday
contesting the Eastland Oil & Engineering Supplies Super Saloon Champion of Champions event
The hard chargers of New Zealand speedway always put on a tremendous show and space on Gisborne Speedway Club’s banked track will allow drivers to really stretch their legs
“The speed and power they generate makes them a great watch
and it’s terrific to have them back on the track,” Gisborne club president Sam Hughes said
They will race for $750 in first prize money
The Jag Painters Limited Saloon Champion of Champions is also being held at the meeting and the limited drivers will also race for the Pit Stop Gisborne Bruce Ellmers Memorial
“We’ve got 11 cars entered for that series of races,” Hughes said
“They are coming from all over the North Island to duel with our own Rodney McIndoe
The champ of champs theme continues in the support programme
The Professional Fleet Maintenance Production Saloon Champ of Champs is expected to feature 11 cars
Sidecars will hit the Awapuni track in their champ of champs and will also go hell for leather for the coveted Law/Cartmell Memorial Trophy
The line-up includes former Gisborne racer Rob Miller in his 8P machine
“Who is not excited to see the bikes out on the track for the first time this season?” Hughes said
“It’s awesome to see them back and it’s so good to hear that Rob Miller hopes to get them back more next season.”
The night’s entertainment will finish with the Demolition Ramp Race
“At last count we had 14 entries - not a big line-up
Gates open at 5pm and racing starts at 6pm
Meanwhile the club’s season ends with a doubleheader on April 11 and 12 featuring the McCafferty Metal Cartage Superstock Best Pairs
final round of the City Smart Repairs Superstock Points Dash
McCafferty Metal Cartage Superstock Champ of Champs
Wicked Tints 1200cc champs for youth ministocks
TQ Champ of Champs and Kevin McKay Memorial for TQs
“We are also set to light up the sky once again to mark the end of the season with another spectacular fireworks display sponsored again by M.E Jukes and Sons.”
BIZminton 2025 starts this week for social and competitive badminton players
A sizeable field of youth ministock drivers will battle it out on Saturday night in the annual Youth Ministock 100 at MTF Awapuni Speedway
A demo derby will bring the night's action to a close
The demolition derby at MTF Awapuni Speedway on Saturday night has attracted one of the biggest derby fields for Gisborne fans to enjoy in years
More than 20 cars will smash and bash in the finale event on the night’s programme
“It will be one of our best derbies for years,” club president Sam Hughes said
The event is being sponsored by M.E Jukes & Son
the runner-up $400 and the driver judged the biggest “stirrer” also earning $400
“Trevor [Jukes] has been brilliant in his ongoing support for the club
Drivers in the derby line-up include No 3 Shannon Maats
“It’s going to be great entertainment,” Hughes said
All competitors need a Speedway NZ-approved helmet and neck restraint
as well as either a one-day derby licence or full SNZ licence
The other main feature of the night is the annual Youth Ministock 100
“We’ve attracted more than 50 entries for it this year,” Hughes said
“They’re coming from all over the North Island.”
The young drivers will race in two divisions – junior and senior
“Numbers are a bit light in the support classes,” Hughes said
Gisborne Speedway Club saloon and streetstock drivers are racing out of town this weekend
Gates to the Gisborne meeting open at 5pm and the first race is at 6pm
Kelsey Teneti helped the Black Ferns 7s win the world title in Los Angeles
The students at Awapuni Primary School recently took part in their annual Great Book Parade
and their outfits were a sight to see as the children celebrated their favourite book characters
A famous young witch cast her “oculus reparo” spell
and the red-and-white striped jersey of Wally was spotted wandering around the grounds of Awapuni School at its Great Book Parade
In what was described as “a colourful celebration of literature”
pages came to life as Awapuni students dressed up as their favourite book characters for the popular annual event
Among these famous identities were the Queen of Hearts from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
the eponymous web-firing crimefighter from Spider-Man
Hermione Granger from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
the world and time-travelling Wally of Where’s Wally?
a droopy-eyed-ruminant from Where Will The Sleepy Sheep Sleep?
the elusive star of How to Catch a Tooth Fairy
and one member of the curly-tailed trio from The Three Little Pigs
“At the heart of Awapuni School lies our vibrant library
a bustling hub where students experience the magic of reading,” Awapuni library team leader Emma Robinson said
our community eagerly anticipates the parade as students
whānau and staff come together to honour the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults
“Special thanks goes to Anita Kingston from Paper Plus Gisborne for her continued generosity
donating books to the students who most creatively captured the essence of their chosen characters
a special acknowledgement of appreciation to our judges Lesley Allen
former assistant principal of Awapuni School
a long-time supporter of our school community.”
MetService National Weather Update: May 7 - May 9
William Brown tees off the par-3 10th in the opening qualifying round of the Emerre & Hathaway Poverty Bay Open on the Awapuni Links course
Head greenkeeper and three-time PB Open champion Brown shot 68
74 to earn the No 1 seeding for the championship 16 matchplay.
No one knows the Awapuni Links course better than head greenkeeper William Brown
And it was his local knowledge that no doubt played a part as he shot a sort-of course record in top qualifying on day 1 of the Emerre & Hathaway Poverty Bay Men’s Open yesterday
chasing a fourth Open crown to go with his 2012
shot 2-under 142 in the 36 holes of strokeplay qualifying on a superbly presented course
He opened with a 4-under 68 that featured seven birdies and an outward nine holes of 4-under 32
then added a 2-over 74 in the afternoon round
For the second year running the Open is being held on a composite course - basically a rearrangement of hole order including the par-5 fifth hole becoming the 18th
Electrinet Gisborne Park member Daniel Collier shot 69 last year on the same order of holes last year
Brown went one better to post the lowest score on that rearrangement
Defending champion Mark Smith (a member of Rotorua’s Springfield course) was second qualifier yesterday on 144 (73
giving every indication that wresting the title from his hands is going to be tough
Seven-times Open winner Waka Donnelly (Poverty Bay)
looking to end a drought dating back to 2010
Mount Maunganui’s Matthew Champness was fourth on 148 (76
72) and there were five shots back to fifth - local lad and 2023 semifinalist Zach Rolls
who added an excellent 73 to his morning 80
also had the best 36-hole net of qualifying - his 139 one shot ahead of Poverty Bay clubmate Andy Abrahams with another two home-course players - Arvin Lawler and Richard Foon - on 141
Sixth in gross qualifying was 2021 Open champion Anaru Reedy (153) - the Electrinet Park member and Tairāwhiti Golf Association president firing 32 on the back nine holes in his afternoon 74 after being 6-over after nine holes
His comeback included an eagle-2 on the 290-metre 14th after driving his ball to less than a metre from the hole
flew the flag high for the elder statesmen in qualifying seventh on 153 (78
Other local players to make the top flight were recently crowned Poverty Bay senior club champion Rob Maruszewski (154 - 76
The top 16 featured a split of seven locals and nine visitors
Among the outsiders were brothers Ben and Jacob Jujnovich
of Auckland’s Redwood Park course - Jacob was 13th on 156 (75
81) and Ben filled the bottom spot on 157 (78
Cambridge’s Mitchell Kirkbride was the unlucky non-qualifier - posting 157 (77
80) but losing out on a second-round countback to Ben Jujnovich and Rotorua’s Glenn Elliot (80
Last year’s runner-up Craig Van Der Nagel (Te Puke) was a surprising 14th on 156 (73
83) - setting up a delectable first-round match against Donnelly
Among the notable names to miss out on the championship 16 were Collier (79
Whitford Park and Waikohu member Glenn Solomann (80
78) and his father and 1995 Open champ David
who withdrew from the second round with a back injury after a morning 75
particularly for the higher handicapped players
The battler award had to go to Ngaruawahia’s Runty Jackson after rounds of 120
He was back out there today looking to win the seventh 16
Gisborne Intermediate principal Andy Hayward took family bragging rights
Phone footage is circulating of a player who decided to try to hit out of the water on the third hole
The field features some powerhouse strikers - among them Pete Anderson
who crushed a drive down the 475m par-5 18th
Matchplay in seven groups of 16 started this morning
A who’s who of superstock racing will be in action on Friday and Saturday night as Gisborne Speedway Club hosts a weekend double-header at MTF Awapuni Speedway
A field of 23 cars has entered the final rounds of the Superstock Thunder series sponsored by Kuru Contracting and A&R Logging and round one of the City Smart Repairs Superstock Points Dash
The Thunder event is running both nights while the Points Dash is on Saturday night
The line-up includes the Rees family trio of father Peter (10G) and sons Asher (1NZG) and Ethan (127G)
“We can expect to see some of the best superstock racing in the country because we’ve got basically the best of the best here,” club president Sam Hughes said
“The Rees family will no doubt lead the charge and will be hard to stop.”
The support programme features the Stone Transport & Hiab Streetstock Champion of Champions on Saturday night
277G Hayley Durston and 977G Duncan Pierce
Bob Fraider and Jarad Ingoe will be right amongst it.”
Other support classes over the two nights include the East Coast Minisprints on both nights and round two of the Minisprints Oval Superstars Tour on Saturday night
youth ministocks and TQs will also be part of the 20-race programme on Friday night and again on Saturday in a 27-race programme also featuring production saloons and limited saloons
“We’ve got two nights of racing ahead of us and the weather looks great,” Hughes said
Gates open at 5pm both nights and the first race is at 6pm
This weekend sees the Gisborne Gladiators stockcar team in action in Palmerston North in the Stockcar Teams Invasion
Geuze Contracting Gladiators are set for their first hit-out of the season,” Hughes said
It’s a nicely balanced team of speed and hitting power.”
Ethan Rees leads the Superstock Points Dash heading into the final round at Awapuni Speedway on Friday night
but several drivers are breathing down his neck
The Gisborne speedway season ends with racing on Friday and Saturday night
Gisborne Speedway Club will bring its 2024-2025 season to a dramatic close with a doubleheader meeting featuring big bangs on the track and in the sky above it
The action begins on Friday night at MTF Awapuni Speedway with the final round of the City Smart Repairs Superstock Points Dash Series
The support programme features The Real Estate Agents TQ Champ of Champs
the McCafferty Metal Cartage Superstock Best Pairs
The Saturday night programme features the McCafferty Metal Cartage Superstock Champ of Champs
the Atlas Building Co TQ Best Pairs; the Sutherland Automotive Kevin McKay Memorial 20-lap feature race for TQs
the Roseland Tavern Stockcar Classic and more golden oldies stockcars
“That’s a huge couple of nights,” club president Sam Hughes said
“There will be about 29 races both nights.”
The points situation heading into the final round of the Points Dash indicates intense on-track action to decide the title
Ethan Rees (127G) heads the standings on 80 points
Kaelin Mooney (26V) and Asher Rees (126G) on 72
Brodie James (87G) and Tyler James (89G) on 71 and Zane Dukstra (38V) on 70
18 cars were confirmed for the Points Dash decider
The line-up for the 1200cc champs is impressive
The junior division of 24 drivers features Gisborne’s Conrad Gooch (6G)
More than 50 cars are set to start in the senior ranks
including Gisborne’s Brad O’Connell-Bacon (11G)
Jayden James (189G) and Jenna McCabe (221G)
“We’re expecting about 13 entrants in the TQs
so we will see some extremely fast and close racing,” Hughes said
“Our own Dylan MacGregor (17G) will probably lead the charge in that class.”
the club expects about eight or nine cars in action
including Gisborne’s Ethan Cook (2NZ) and Rodney McIndoe (7G)
who recently won the South Island championship
The Stockcar Classic is certain to be hard-fought among the likes of Gisborne’s Jason Lovell (7G)
Willy Stevenson (185G) and drivers from Rotorua
Saturday night will come to a climactic end with the Pacific Dreams fireworks display supported by M.E
“We really appreciate Trevor Jukes and his backing,” Hughes said
“He has always been one of the outstanding supporters of our club
and we are so grateful for what he continues to do
“We are sure the fans will enjoy two great nights at the track.”
Gates open at 5pm and racing is from 6pm both nights
Koby Gooch won the Senior section of the Ministock 100 at Awapuni Speedway on Saturday night
Gisborne’s Koby Gooch was the standout driver in the Ministocks 100 feature event at MTF Awapuni Speedway on Saturday night
won the senior section of the Repco-sponsored class
beating off challenges from home track and visiting drivers
Rotorua’s Jimmy Crawford (972R) was runner-up and Hawke’s Bay’s Lachlan Timmins (22B) third
The junior section was won by Palmerston North’s Kobe Dorn (23)
ahead of local Brodie Gooch (10G) and Kihikihi’s Alexander Wood (43K)
Koby Gooch was named the Driver of the Night
keep your eyes on Koby,” club vice-president Clyde McGrory said
“If he keeps driving the way he’s driving now
“He was the best of the young drivers in his class and we had a really good field of experienced drivers
Koby kept his nose clean and was nice and tidy all night
McGrory said Koby’s cousin Brodie was following in the footsteps of father Brenden
who won the New Zealand streetstock title in the 2017-18 season and the North Island crown in 2007-08 and 2012-13
“He drove so well in the junior class and is showing a lot of talent.”
Koby and Brodie are the third generation of the Gooch family leading the charge at Awapuni Speedway
Saturday night’s demolition derby drew about two dozen cars
one of the best fields in that mayhem event for several seasons
“They managed to demolish each other rather well,” McGrory said
right till the end of the derby when we had a little shower,” McGrory said
“We gave running the meeting some thought because of the weather forecast but it in the end it all worked out well.”
The club’s next meeting is Superstocks Thunder on December 13 and 14
Saloon cars will be among the action on Saturday night at Awapuni Speedway
Evan Mooney (42G) and Rodney Mcindoe are pictured going hard last season
A club night opens Gisborne Speedway Club’s programme for 2025 on Saturday night
and racing should be hotly contested as drivers chase all-important points in the various classes
The ever-popular classic stockcars will also be in action on the MTF Awapuni Speedway track
“We have about a dozen classic cars coming for the night,” club president Sam Hughes said
The field will be predominantly visiting drivers from Huntly and Tauranga
Gisborne’s immortal classic stockcar Lilly the Pink will be in the line-up
“We’ve got about a dozen superstocks entered
including nine cars from out of town,” Hughes said
“It should be hard and fast for them with a bit more room on the track after last weekend’s battle for the New Zealand championship in Nelson.”
There will be five or six saloons racing and a good field of about 20 in the youth ministocks
including recently selected New Zealand team member Koby Gooch
About half a dozen TQs will be on the track
along with up to eight production saloons and about 10 streetstocks
“Everyone will be keen for the club points,” Hughes said
“It will be hard-out racing across all classes
Gates open at 5pm tomorrow night and the first race is at 6pm
The club is hosting a fundraiser auction on Friday night to support Gooch as he prepares to represent New Zealand against Australia in a transtasman series in Perth in March
Tickets for tonight’s event are still available from Sam’s Upholstery
Contact Shanan Gooch on 027 428 2023 for more information
Fundraising organisers have extended thanks to everyone who contributed
Police had cordons in place for some time Friday morning as they began an inquiry into a vehicle crash in which a man was found deceased inside an SUV that left the road and hit a building in Awapuni Rd near the speedway some time overnight Thursday-Friday
Police are investigating after a man was found dead inside a vehicle which crashed into a building off State Highway 35 near Gisborne on Friday morning
Police and other emergency services responded to the incident on Awapuni Rd near the speedway about 7am Friday
The man in the vehicle was believed to have been aged in his 60s
“The SUV had gone off the road sometime during the night and run into a concrete block wall of the Sonic Surf Craft building near Commerce Place
not far from the speedway,” an emergency services spokesman said
“The crashed vehicle was found by workers at the surf craft factory when they arrived for work.”
St John attended and the ambulance officers declared the man dead at the scene
“It is suspected the man had suffered some sort of medical event prior to the crash,” an ambulance spokesman said
A senior firefighter said the vehicle sustained considerable frontal damage
but the building sustained only minimal damage
Police set up road blocks at Aerodrome Rd and Pacific St while they carried out a scene investigation as part of a Serious Crash Inquiry
The cordons were there for a couple of hours
Chained Dog Awareness NZ urges people to identify the man for authorities
Mark Oulaghan (right) with Shaun Fannin after West Coast's Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) win on Saturday
Mark Oulaghan is among the most successful and humble figures in New Zealand jumps racing
a sport that witnessed a history-making performance by his stable star West Coast last Saturday at Riccarton Park
West Coast collected a phenomenal third-straight Grand National Steeplechase (5600m)
an achievement never before achieved in the 149-year history of the event
while his younger stablemate Berry The Cash also went back-to-back in the Grand National Hurdles (4200m)
Reflecting on a successful week in Christchurch
Oulaghan was pleased to defend the titles while adding some history to the iconic feature
“Everyone spoke about making history with the three wins
I take satisfaction out of developing horses as they race on through their careers
probably more so with jumpers than flat horses because there is a bit more involved.”
Oulaghan said West Coast had one or two dents in his armour earlier on in his career and didn’t settle that well
but thought his run on Saturday was probably the best he’d ever seen him go
he was relaxed in a good rhythm and it was close to a perfect performance
To see those two horses performing like that carrying topweights and as pretty short-priced favourites
it was right up there with one of my best days in racing.”
Oulaghan has been travelling to the Grand National Festival for more than 25 years and has made plenty of his own history in that time
winning nine Steeplechase and six Hurdle crowns
there were a few more local horses going around and more races at the carnival
It’s hard to compare but they were quite hard to win back then
and maybe I didn’t have the horsepower that I have got now as well,” he said
“There hasn’t been a great deal of change otherwise
other than the middle day not including jump races anymore
it’s one of the last jumping carnivals that has really stuck to their guns
I can’t see why it can’t be a successful carnival in the years to come.”
Oulaghan had followed his father into racing with the guidance of a couple of local legends
“My father originally was a vet in Woodville
he used to do a lot of racehorses in the area and I followed him around a bit which got me into the racing side
went hunting and did a bit of show jumping and things like that
then the natural progression was starting off as an owner-trainer with Dad
I was keen to go farming but one thing led to another and I got tied up with the horses and stuck to that.”
there was an old guy there called Ian Bradbury who trained a few nice jumpers and he learnt a bit off him
so they were two that I picked up a few things from
I started getting a few outside horses and got a public licence
“I was in Woodville until 1997 and had moderate success there
then I shifted over to Palmy and have been here ever since
my first one or two winners were on the flat
The first jumper I had was called Borrowdale
he was by a stallion called Acharacle who was owned by Peter Brosnan’s dad
Oulaghan said he’s always had a handy jumper all the way through
“The flagbearer for me was Rand who raced in New Zealand and we took him overseas and he did pretty well there
I thought I wouldn’t find another like him
but these two horses [West Coast and Berry The Cash] are pretty close
if you’ve got a sound horse and you can keep them sound
it’s just a matter of getting them fit and feeding them
they should be able to do the rest if they’ve got the heart and ability.”
Oulaghan has earned plenty of respect in the flat racing role with Group One wins courtesy of Shadows Cast and Who Shot Thebarman
while jumping has given several of his horses another avenue to succeed in their racing careers
flat racing was pretty competitive in the Central Districts and there were plenty of numbers
I couldn’t attract the better flat horses at that time
so to stay in the game you get success where you can
which is what we did in the jumping,” Oulaghan said
“Some of the flat horses we had weren’t quite up to scratch in that role
and the jumping side gave them another opportunity
We had a lot of horses win one or two jumping races which was good
but then there was the likes of Counter Punch
Former top jumps jockey Tommy Hazlett has been a notable figure in Oulaghan’s career
a figure being hunted down by Portia Matthews
who has progressed swiftly in the riding ranks since working under the Awapuni horseman
“It’s always good to combine with people and achieve a common goal
but it’s also been good for me as a trainer,” Oulaghan said
I helped Chris Allen and Jo Rathbone get going in the riding game
so it’s pretty satisfying to see them succeed
it’s great to see her achieving what she has
Tommy was a pretty good rider when he started riding a bit for me
He came back from Australia and I felt his record there wasn’t as good as it could’ve been
he really hit his straps and went very well.”
– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
There have now been three men charged with murder
State Highway 35 on Awapuni Rd near the end of the airport runway was closed for some time yesterday afternoon after a head-on crash between a car and truck
The driver of the car suffered serious injuries
The driver of a car was seriously injured yesterday afternoon when his vehicle collided head-on with a truck on State Highway 35 adjacent to the end of the Gisborne Airport runway
The Awapuni crash happened around 1pm and the road was closed for a couple of hours
Firefighters had to remove the roof to get him out of the extensively damaged sedan
“His legs were trapped under the dashboard,” a senior firefighter said
“We had to cut the roof off the car to extricate him.”
was taken to Gisborne Hospital by St John ambulance with what were described as “serious leg injuries”
but he was okay,” the ambulance officer said
The front of the truck received moderate damage and Gisborne Hiabs was called in to tow it away
An emergency services spokesman said the truck was heading out of Gisborne on Awapuni Rd/SH35
The crash happened just south of the end of the airport runway
Police and contractors put roadblocks in place at either end of the crash site and diverted traffic while emergency services did their work
Mark Oulaghan (left) and jockey Shaun Fannin at Woodville in May
Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan will test the record books when he saddles up two of the shortest-priced favourites in living memory at the Riccarton Grand National meeting this weekend
Oulaghan has Berry The Cash in the $100,000 Hospitality New Zealand Canterbury 134th Grand National Hurdles (4200m) and West Coast in the $100,000 Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge 14th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) on Saturday
Both horses won each corresponding race last season giving Oulaghan a notable double
West Coast is white hot at the TAB at $1.40 to win and create history
while Berry The Cash has likewise been labelled almost unbeatable by the bookies at $1.55
West Coast easily won the Koral Steeples at Riccarton last weekend
while earlier that day Berry The Cash won the Avon City Ford Sydenham Hurdles (3100m)
Both horses rank among the very best jumpers of the modern era
he will be attempting to become the first horse to win three consecutive Grand National Steeplechases - no mean feat
You have to dive pretty deep into the record books to find a horse called The Agent
West Coast and Berry The Cash will have to carry weight to win at the weekend though
Both horses have earned the top-weight of 73kg
West Coast set a modern-day weight carrying record last year when winning with 72kg
while Berry The Cash won last year with 66kg
The record weight for the hurdles was The Cossack
he will carry 7kg more than all his rivals over the testing 5.6km distance
the same weight as your average sack of spuds
West Coast has won nine of his 13 starts over steeples and more than $411,285 in prizemoney
Berry The Cash has won nine of his 30 starts
West Coast had failed to win a race in 19 starts on the flat and a few minor placings had contributed just $9300 to his healthy career purse
Oulaghan has won the Grand National Steeplechase on a record eight occasions
visit the playground or week the community vegetable gardens
You can take your children to the fully-fenced playground for children under age 5
so all the equipment is height appropriate for your littlies
small rubber mushrooms and a fort with slides
there is climbing equipment and an adjustable basketball hoop
Dogs are allowed in Awapuni Park if they are on-leash
No dogs are allowed in the fenced children's playground
The Awapuni Community Gardens offer land access for growing food and an opportunity to share knowledge and resources
The gardens work on an allotment-style where individuals (usually whānau) take ‘ownership’ of a bed to grow food for themselves
There are also some shared community beds at the gardens. There are over 50 families and groups involved in the Awapuni Community Gardens. These gardens are administered by the Pascal Street Community Trust
The Awapuni Community Gardens began in September 2011 as the Crewe Community Gardens at a site in Crewe Crescent
After housing development forced a relocation
the gardens were established here at Awapuni Park in 2018
Most of the beds are looked after by individuals or families
so please do not pick the produce unless there are signs on the beds giving permission
You can get involved by attending working bees most Saturday mornings from 8.30am.
Workers at Palmerston North’s Awapuni Resource Recovery Park manually separate the recycled items coming in on a conveyer belt
Milk bottle tops and aerosol cans are not welcome in the recycling bin
but pizza boxes are fine - so long as the pizza has been removed
New recycling rules came into effect at the start of February
standardising what is collected at the kerb throughout New Zealand
Radio New Zealand visited Palmerston North’s Awapuni Resource Recovery Park for a peek behind the scenes and to see if people are abiding by the new rules
The new rules include requiring people to remove lids from bottles - the bottles are recycled
the lids are not - and not collecting some types or numbers of plastic
Palmerston North City Council waste minimisation officer Melissa Doyle says some people have not yet adapted to the changes
“We are seeing a bit [items no longer collected] come through still
It takes a while for the public to catch on to the fact that we can’t accept them any more.”
although Doyle says Palmerston North is looking at options to recycle lids
All is not lost if bottles arrive at the centre with their lids still on
Recycle facility team leader Tony Hanna says such bottles are still recycled
“When the milk bottle goes up to the star sorter
that’s enough to generally shake the lid up
It falls down and goes through the fines sorter
gets put into a bin and ends up getting dumped.”
About 20 tonnes of material a day comes into the recovery centre
which houses conveyer belts and about a dozen workers sorting through the things people chuck in their bins
What Hanna describes as a “bloody huge” industrial warehouse
is a couple of storeys high and is shared with a paper recycling company
a forklift driver pushes everything towards the conveyer belts
About 17 to 20 per cent of what comes in cannot be recycled
people just think if they put it in the bin some pixies come along and make it magically disappear,” Hanna says
Palmerston North introduced some of the now-standardised national rules some time ago
so the likes of not having some plastics collected at the kerb is not new to the city
But plenty of rubbish still makes it to the recovery centre
and what the machines cannot pick out is removed by workers beavering away
Some stand at the conveyer belt and have responsibility for one type of recyclable item - such as tin cans or plastics bottles - and separate this as it goes past
Hanna says the recycling changes would eventually bed in for people
“It takes time to change habits and the reality is when you look at plastic it’s plastic
You don’t really think about what type of plastic it is
Doyle says there are plans to audit bins more closely from next year
You don’t have to scrub it with a brush and soap
but if you could rinse off the food that would be great.”
it could still be recycled depending on how dirty it was
“Little bits of grease and little bits of food are fine
“We get a few passports and licences and keys
We found a cellphone in there once,” Doyle says
‘I had an envelope of money and I think it’s gone into the recycling
with nappies often thrown into recycling bins
Doyle says that all recyclable material is turned into something - like bin liners and apple cartons
Andy Stewart pushed on with his motorbike trek despite his growing pain
Tea and Tales organiser Bev Page with guest speakers Dawn and Murray Griffin
All things Awapuni were celebrated at Music
Tea and Tales - River Stop Awapuni's contribution to Local History Week
the tea from the venue Boho Cafe and the tales from Awapuni residents
the event was held on November 3 and recorded for future generations to enjoy by Manawatū People's Radio
Awapuni can be translated as blocked river
shared the history of horse racing and horse stables in the suburb
Where Boho Cafe is now used to be a fine dining restaurant
The Totara Rd dog pound used to be the milking shed for Awapuni Hospital farm
who has been running the store for 31 years
He recalled the days when the rubbish dump was the main attraction and how busy Maxwells Line was on Sundays with visitors to the hospital
Community librarian Laura Clifford spoke about the history of the suburb's library
which was opened in 1987 by then mayor Paul Rieger
In 1996 the council proposed closing the library but in the face of strong community opposition backed down
A video of Awapuni resident Jenny Burr reading her poem about trucks carrying concrete up and down College St was played
A River Stop project last year captured on video stories from the suburb that can be accessed using QR codes outside buildings in the shopping centre
principal Māori adviser at Palmerston North City Council
said iwi appreciate the community is embracing the identity of the river and giving consideration to its health
The event coincided with Boho's fifth birthday
Owner Jeanine Gribbin said the cafe wouldn't have been possible without the support of the wonderful community
which embraced the eatery even before the doors opened
or leave the grounds without the permission of the matron
These were some of the rules at Awapuni Home
which used to be in Maxwells Line in Palmerston North
Emeritus Professor Margaret Tennant shared the history of the home at Music
The celebration of all things Awapuni at Boho Café was organised by River Stop Awapuni
Awapuni Home was opened in 1915 as a residential home for the elderly
and was where Te Hotu Manawa o Rangitāne o Manawatū Marae is now
the home was safely on the outskirts of Palmerston North
with a farmlet of about 20 acres to provide work for those able to do it
The home was run by the then-Palmerston North Hospital Board
The home was constructed in brick with a rough cast finish and had accommodation for eight female inmates - the term used - and 22 males
Tennant said men were predominant among the destitute elderly at the end of the 19th century
about 80 per cent of residents of care homes are women
with more single men than women in the Pakēhā population
Many men had been itinerant and had done hard physical labour
Thomson had viewed the Palmerston North house in which former soldier Charles Warren had died and that he was “very much shocked” at the surroundings
Thomson said in a letter to the Palmerston North Hospital Board that it was pitiful to think of an old man “who has fought for us dying alone and in such circumstances”
Tennant said the scandal of Warren’s death rocked the community
and while people were at church last Sunday morning”
The Manawatū Standard reported on December 29
that “the individual known as Crayfish Charlie” had got into difficulties again
and had subsequently fallen into a manhole on Rangitīkei St
Crayfish Charlie was found standing in water up to his armpits
“The assistance of Constable Fitzgibbons was called and by him the old man was hauled out of his unenviable position.”
In a 2016 Manawatū Journal of History article
Tennant wrote that Crayfish Charlie’s case helped fuel the energetic campaign already started by Ellen Wood
She had been collecting annual subscriptions for a home since 1908
and had organised events such as a children’s fancy dress ball
Tennant said many of the inmates hadn’t been domesticated
so to move into an institutional setting and live alongside others was challenging
two new wards were opened for “chronics” - those in hospital for an extended time
The building was regarded as an earthquake risk by the 1970s
was a first-year nursing student in 1976 when she did a six-week placement at the hospital
The students were bussed out there every morning
and Arlidge said the institution had a really good feel to it
but there were really good morning and afternoon teas for staff
The cooking that came out of the kitchen was amazing
who shared her memories after Tennant spoke
said she felt like she was really contributing
Robert Cleaver shared that he used to play the organ at the hospital chapel
he walked in to find wheelchair user Mr Dodds playing the organ - one of life’s magical moments
Another audience member said she used to work there and that one had to have a great sense of humour
Annette Nixon told the Manawatū Guardian afterwards that in 1977 she used to pick up food for Meals on Wheels from the hospital kitchen
voluntary work she did through the Presbyterian church
She discovered that while the church was not paid for providing volunteers
Nixon went to the hospital board to complain and the policy was changed
Tea and Tales was also a celebration of Boho Café's sixth birthday
Owner Jeanine Gribbin used the occasion to announce the opening of Mrs Bo’s Botanical and Curiosity Emporium behind the café
Gribbin told the Guardian afterwards that next year
the emporium would include a small meeting room for functions and café overflow
The emporium sells gifts and fresh flowers
It is also the home of freshwater snails Gwyneth and Gary (as in SpongeBob SquarePants’ pet)
An attempt to evict an established New Zealand racehorse trainer from leased stables at Awapuni Racecourse is now going to the High Court
Gary Vile has been issued with proceedings from lawyers acting on behalf of his landlord RACE
who have sought to have Vile's lease agreement terminated
RACE is the trading name for an entity of Manawatū
Vile was disputing the non-renewal of his lease
A date for the High Court hearing has been set for November 2 in Wellington
There had been several attempts by those advocating for Vile to have RACE agree to mediation
in an effort to resolve the dispute outside of court
had approached Minister for Racing Kieran McAnulty to help facilitate a resolution between the two parties
he said the Racing Industry Act prevented him from intervening in commercial disputes
"It would therefore be inappropriate for myself or the Racing Integrity Board to become involved in this matter
However I remain hopeful of a resolution being reached," he said in a letter of response
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) had also refused to intervene or comment when approached previously
The stables adjacent to the Awapuni Racecourse were purpose-built by RACE for Vile in 2008
Awapuni Resource Recovery Park in Palmerston North is throwing open its gates on April 13
Ever wondered what happens to your recyclables once they’re whisked away from outside your house
The Awapuni Resource Recovery Park is throwing open its gates for behind-the-scenes tours on Saturday
The 60 spots were snapped up within hours of Palmerston North City Council releasing details of the tour on Facebook on Tuesday morning
people can register to go on the waiting list
Resource recovery group manager Bryce Hosking says the tours will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how kerbside recycling is sorted
our crew sort through an astounding 20 tonnes of material a day
and we have 30-35 truck loads shuttling in each week.”
Hosking anticipates the tours will debunk common recycling myths
“Some people believe all recycling ends up in a landfill
Come and witness the reality – we have a dedicated team sorting through the good
Attendees will be able to see how the recycling trucks empty each compartment
which is done via a mix of people and machines
baled and sent off to be made into new packaging and products
things like our egg cartons and paper are sent to Hawke’s Bay to be recycled into paper fruit trays
and plastic bottles are sent to Wellington
where they are turned into packaging like meat trays.”
There will also be an opportunity to ask about the council’s draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan
which will be out for consultation from April 8 to May 9
This six-year plan details how the council will minimise and manage the city’s waste
To register for the waiting list, visit pncc.govt.nz/News-Events/Events/Awapuni-Resource-Recovery-Park-open-day
While Donald Trump is being widely cited as a reason/explanation for Anthony Albanese’s landslide victory on the weekend
that’s like blaming the icing for the state of a badly baked cake
In no particular order of incoherence...although allegedly being the party of low taxes
the Liberal opposition voted against Labor’s tax cuts
Liberal coalition leader Peter Dutton also offered a natural gas policy that even the industry and his major donors (e.g
The PSA has welcomed the news from the NZDF that $33 million will be allocated to staff pay increases over the next four years as the result of last year’s industrial action
As a maritime nation we are prioritising naval capability
The new helicopters will be able to go further and carry larger loads
personnel and equipment – all of which is critical for Defence to protect New Zealand and New Zealanders
we can prevent the worst of the climate crisis by reducing methane pollution from intensive dairy
which are under threat from intensive dairy pollution
Jotika will join Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand Executive Director
to explore the struggles and resilience of Fiji's garment workers and their collective fight for better pay and conditions
In a significant milestone for indigenous-led conservation
Hokotehi Moriori Trust has successfully carried out the first imi (Moriori tribal group) translocation of hakoakoa (muttonbird)
relocating 50 juvenile birds from Mangere Island to a newly prepared site in Kaingaroa
The new standard requires public service agencies to conduct a risk assessment whenever personal information is to be shared and includes robust safeguards to protect individual privacy and directs agencies to apply best practices when granting access to personal information
Reuben Harris gets covered in coloured powder during Awapuni School’s annual fun yesterday
Students and teachers alike took part in the popular event which featured multiple obstacles and culminated in a teachers versus students relay — won by the students
including buddying up with the little ones
A fun run under the summer sun was enjoyed by Awapuni School students and teachers this week
The annual event features multiple obstacles ranging from a slip and slide mat to hay bale jumps
and there's also the matter of being coated in coloured powder along the way
The entire school takes part with senior students also helping out as "buddies" for the littlies
It also features a students versus teachers relay which this year was won by the students
although apparently there was a hint of controversy to the victory
it's all about the main word in the title