Profile and Surface Conditions of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racetracks

Rogers, Chris W.; Bolwell, Charlotte F.; Gee, Erica K.; Peterson, Michael; McIlwraith, C. Wayne

doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2014.06.017

Cited by 16 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…In contrast, the track surface that contained no wax binder produced similar functional properties regardless of temperature, corroborating previous laboratory and in-situ findings that wax binders significantly influence surface response to temperature (Bridge et al, 2012;Peterson et al, 2010). Track managers assess and maintain surfaces according to condition (Rogers, Bolwell, Gee, Peterson & McIlwraith, 2014), requiring them to recognise differences in functional properties that are directly relevant to the horse. Previously, however, the association between subjective and objective evaluation of equestrian surfaces has been identified as challenging (Hernlund et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Operational temperatures of all-weather thoroughbred racetracks influence surface functional properties

Northrop

Martin

Holt

et al. 2020

Biosystems Engineering

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The surface temperature of all-weather racetracks has previously been correlated to speed. However specific functional properties such as grip, cushioning and impact firmness have not been directly compared to environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to assess how temperature influences functional properties of racetracks, and categorise surface wax binders according to first thermal transition peak, and compare responses at different operational temperatures. Functional properties were determined for UK all-weather racetrack surfaces (n = 6) using mechanical testing equipment which assess the loads experienced by the forelimb at gallop (randomised block design).Tests were carried out using latex lined moulds, embedded within a test box with a predefined boundary at 0°C, 20°C and 40°C. Wax binders underwent differential scanning calorimetry to identify thermal transition peaks. Changes in operational temperatures significantly influenced surface responses when a wax binder was part of the composition. Temperature was a factor that significantly contributed to the variation found in horizontal grip (F2, 237 = 65.69, P<0.001), cushioning (F2, 237 = 58.24, P<0.001), impact firmness (F2, 237 = 28.02, P<0.001) and rotational grip (F12, 65 = 9.45, P<0.001). Using a test box meant individual racetracks were generalised but this enabled conditions to be controlled. Colder temperatures demonstrated higher surface hardness and shear resistance that may increase risk of musculoskeletal injury although this was not measured here. Awareness of the effect temperature has on specific track behaviour allows maintenance protocols to be further developed to improve consistency when temperatures change, with the aim of improving safety.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Operational temperatures of all-weather thoroughbred racetracks influence surface functional properties

Northrop

Martin

Holt

et al. 2020

Biosystems Engineering

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“…An increased incidence of MSI or risk of fatalities or fractures on “fast” or “good/firm” tracks compared to “heavy/soft” tracks has been reported in Australia [ 17 ] and the UK [ 3 , 18 ]. Within New Zealand, there appears to be an active programme by track managers to avoid fast tracks with watering of tracks in summer and extensive drainage in winter to improve the consistency of the going [ 19 ]. This may explain the low number of fast tracks observed in this dataset, which may have been a contributor to the apparent inability of the present study to identify fast tracks as a risk factor for MSI despite most of the MSI being due to fracture.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Injury during Racing on New Zealand Racetracks 2005–2011

Bolwell

Rogers

Gee

et al. 2017

Animals

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Simple SummaryThere is currently limited information on the types, or risk, of injuries occurring for horses racing in flat races in New Zealand. Race reports and records from six racing seasons were used to determine the reasons why horses failed to finish a race. In total, 544 horses failed to complete a race, of which 177 were due to veterinary events. Most of the veterinary events that occurred during a race were classed as musculoskeletal injuries (136/177; 77%). The rate of musculoskeletal injuries during a race, 0.72 per 1000 starts, was lower than the rates reported for other racing jurisdictions. The condition of the track and the distance of the race were associated with the rate of musculoskeletal injury during a race. There may be differences in the training programmes and racing schedules for horses in the southern hemisphere, which may have contributed to the low rates reported in this study.AbstractThe objective of the study was to determine the incidence of veterinary events that resulted in a horse failing to finish a race and identify risk factors for musculoskeletal injury (MSI) during a race. Data were obtained on Thoroughbred flat race starts in New Zealand between 1 August 2005 and 31 July 2011 (six racing seasons). Stipendiary Steward’s reports were key-word searched to identify veterinary events that prevented a horse from finishing a race. Race data were used calculate the incidence of veterinary events per 1000 horse starts and Poisson regression was used to investigate risk factors for MSI. There were 188,616 race starts and 177 reported veterinary events. The incidence of MSI on race day was 0.72 per 1000 starts, whilst the incidence of respiratory events was 0.21 per 1000 starts. The rate of MSI was significantly lower on ‘dead’ and ‘slow’ tracks compared with ‘good’ tracks and significantly greater in longer races (≥1671 m) compared with races of ≤1200 m. The rate of MSI during flat races in New Zealand appears lower than that reported worldwide, which may be due to the management and training of horses in New Zealand or differences in case definitions used in comparable studies.

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“…Despite racing on turf tracks within a temperate climate, racetrack surfaces in New Zealand are consistently reported in the good to dead range of going (61% of races, median penetrometer reading 2.3–2.7). It is only in winter that the median going decreases to heavy (penetrometer reading 4.3) [ 14 ]. However, even with moderate between season differences in rate of going there was a consistent and limited within season variation in track condition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The temperate climate of New Zealand permits racing year round on approximately 50 different 1800 m turf tracks. Despite the number of different tracks there is consistency in the general dimensions of the tracks and the going of the racing surfaces throughout the season (few with the racing surface classified as “fast” and the majority described as “good” or “dead”) [ 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Failure to Finish a Race in a Cohort of Thoroughbred Racehorses in New Zealand

Tanner

Rogers

Bolwell

et al. 2016

Animals

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Simple SummaryOverall, the failure to finish rate in New Zealand, 2.88 per 1000 horse starts (95% CI 2.64–3.12), was lower than international figures for race day catastrophic injury. Racing and environmental variables such as horse experience, race distance and season were associated with failure to finish a race. Catastrophic injury accounted for approximately half the failure to finish events. Jockey falls were positively associated with less experienced jockeys and horses.AbstractThe objective was to describe the incidence of failure to finish a race in flat-racing Thoroughbreds in New Zealand as these are summary indicators of falls, injuries and poor performance. Retrospective data on six complete flat racing seasons (n = 188,615 race starts) of all Thoroughbred flat race starts from 1 August 2005 to 31 July 2011 were obtained. The incidence of failure to finish events and binomial exact 95% confidence intervals were calculated per 1000 horse starts. The association between horse-, rider- and race-level variables with the outcomes failure to finish, pulled-up/fell and lost rider were examined with a mixed effects Poisson regression model. A total of 544 horses failed to finish in 188,615 race starts with an overall incidence of 2.88 per 1000 horse starts (95% CI 2.64–3.12). The incidence of failure to finish horses across each race year showed little variability. In the univariable analysis race distance, larger field size, season, and ratings bands showed association with failing to finish a race. The overall failure to finish outcome was associated with season, race distance and ratings bands (horse experience and success ranking criteria). In the multivariable analysis, race distance and ratings bands were associated with horses that pulled-up/fell; season, apprentice allowances and ratings bands were associated with the outcome lost rider. The failure to finish rate was lower than international figures for race day catastrophic injury. Racing and environmental variables were associated with failure to finish a race highlighting the multifactorial nature of race-day events. Further investigation of risk factors for failure to finish is required to better understand the reasons for a low failure to finish rate in Thoroughbred flat races in New Zealand.

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Profile and Surface Conditions of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racetracks

Cited by 16 publications

References 27 publications

Operational temperatures of all-weather thoroughbred racetracks influence surface functional properties

Operational temperatures of all-weather thoroughbred racetracks influence surface functional properties

Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Injury during Racing on New Zealand Racetracks 2005–2011

Analysis of Failure to Finish a Race in a Cohort of Thoroughbred Racehorses in New Zealand

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