The Otago Racing Club staff and committee feel vindicated after a formal investigation of the track by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing following the abandoned meeting on March 7.
The track was inspected by the Racing Integrity Unit and senior members of the New Zealand Jockey Association in the week after the meeting, which was abandoned after one race when Cent High fell and slipped with 800m to go.
An NZTR release last week said photographic evidence from RIU co-chairman of stewards Nigel McIntyre showed the only evidence of lateral movement on the track was at the 800m where Cent High slipped when trying to regain her balance after clipping heels.
''Some thatch was identified in the track. However, this was most predominant in the home straight,'' the release said.
''The area around the 800m where the incident involving Cent High occurred was not found to be significantly affected by thatch.''
Club president Dean Lawrence was pleased with the outcome of the investigation, particularly taking into account some of the feedback received by club staff.
''On the day and in the days subsequent the club and its staff have been subject to some harsh criticism that is now proven to be unjustified/unsubstantiated,'' he said.
''Thankfully, there has also been a swell of support for the club and its staff, which is much appreciated, in what has been a difficult time over the past weeks for the Wingatui community as a whole.''
After consultation with NZTR, the club brought forward schedule maintenance which included verti-draining and scarification to allow in moisture and air.
Fertiliser in the form of gypsum was applied and 25ml of rain fell between the abandonment and the following Thursday, March 12.
About 50 horses galloped on the course proper throughout the week after the abandonment with experienced track riders reporting no problems with the track.
Lawrence said the investigation showed no long-term remedial work is required on the track and that racing can continue as scheduled immediately.
''We are always striving to do better, and obviously the irrigation programme and system have been in the spotlight since Champions Day,'' Lawrence said.
''We will seek guidance from the audit outcome but I suspect improvements could be required to enable continuous improvement in our safety programme.''
Lawrence said the installation of the new plastic running rail on the course proper during April, with the existing running rail be shifted to the inside training track, would aid in the club's quest for high safety standards.
