Waikouaiti races abandoned for safety reasons

No horses, no worries.

That was the attitude Waikouaiti racegoers took to the news that yesterday's races had been abandoned for safety reasons.

The race meeting, which attracted about 4000 attendees, was cancelled after only one race due to concerns over the state of the track.

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The news was met with a collective groan from the bumper crowd who were set to enjoy the popular annual race day.

An hour after the announcement, many racegoers were still at the track, despite there being no chance of any further racing.

Fashions in the field competitions were held during the afternoon and food and entertainment vendors were kept busy by those who stayed.

Betting facilities continued to operate, allowing punters to place bets on other race meetings around the country.

Waikouaiti Racing Club President Andy Denham said the club and its committee had worked hard to create an enjoyable day out for the public and the abandonment was a devastating blow for the organisation.

''We thought we had the track pretty good,'' he said.

''The safety of the horses and the jockeys is paramount.''

The club would look at ways to compensate the public who missed out on their day of thoroughbred racing, Denham said.

Not all racegoers were happy to settle for a day in the Waikouaiti sun, enjoying the club's off-the-track entertainment.

Following the announcement the meeting had been abandoned, some of the crowd asked for their money back. Adults paid $10 general admission to get in to the races.

Gary Bell, of Dunedin, came with a group of 12 racegoers that attend the Waikouaiti races each year.

His group was left frustrated that their admission fees would not be refunded.

''They paid and they never got what they paid for. All you want is some answers.

''I saw the secretary and they said 'you know it's going to be impossible to compensate everybody'.''

Safety concerns over the Waikouaiti track meant officials were left with no option but to abandon the race meeting after only one race.

Fiesty Jane ridden by jockey Kylie Williams was observed to slip.

That prompted stewards, jockeys and trainers to inspect the track and delay the second race on the card.

After those inspections the meeting was abandoned.

''The evidence of marks left on the track from horses slipping in the first race meant the safety risk was too great for the meeting to continue,'' stipendiary steward Mark Davidson said.

Horse racing surfaces can become slippery when a small amount of rain falls on hard ground.

Overnight rain in the Waikouaiti region may have contributed to the slippery nature of the track, Mr Davidson said.

''They had 7mls of rain overnight.''

However, the track was inspected on Sunday and yesterday morning and found to be in good order.

''I walked [the track] myself yesterday and again this morning - and other stewards and jockeys - and everybody thought it would be a perfect racing surface,'' Mr Davidson said.

''But when they put the [race] pressure on the horses are slipping and moving and we can't have them back out there.''