Post NZ Cup Meeting and the annual renovation of the Course Proper starts immediately. 14,000 attended yesterday, Cup Day, for the finale of Canterbury’s NZ Cup and Show week. Congrats and thanks to all connections who raced over the three days.

NZ Cup Day, Riccarton Park. Going Soft7, 3.8 penetrometer after 5mm rain 4am this morning. Weather improving and nothing a warm jacket won’t solve. Not quite sold out, still selling and can buy a ticket at the track upon arrival. First race 12:12pm. It’s going to be a cracker.

A final nip to tidy the track for Martin Collins New Zealand Cup Day at Riccarton Park. First of 11 at 12:12pm. Friday going Soft6, 3.5 penetrometer, 43.9% moisture reading. Cracker field in the Barneswood Farm NZ 1000 Guineas at 2:58pm. Tickets still available🤙🏻

Two days down, Martin Collins NZ Cup Day to go at Riccarton Park. Yesterday’s extreme winds have dropped with drizzle this morning. 8mm irrigation last night. Thursday going Soft5, 3.0 penetrometer, moisture 41.6%. Group1 Barneswood Farm NZ 1000 Guineas jumps 2:58. First 12:15am.

Riccarton Park race morning. Twilight meeting starting 1:42pm. Going Soft5, 3.2 penetrometer.

Tuesday afternoon going update for TAB Mile day tomorrow at Riccarton Park. Very strong winds all day. Going now Soft6, 3.5 penetrometer, 48% moisture reading. As this morning very similar at the same stage prior to Saturday.

Riccarton Park going update the day before the TAB Mile. Soft7, 3.7 penetrometer, 48.8% moisture reading Tuesday morning. Almost identical to the readings last Friday morning before the first day.

Monday morning at Riccarton Park. Going as we head into TAB Mile day on Wednesday Soft5, 3.2 penetrometer, 41.9% moisture reading. 12mm irrigation on Saturday after the races.

The wonderful Lesley Murdoch host of the All Sport Breakfast radio show live at Riccarton Park for the first day of NZ Cup & Show week 2024. Race morning going Soft6, 3.4 penetrometer.

Temporary seating added to Riccarton Park in preparation for NZ Cup week. Going Friday afternoon improves to 3.5 penetrometer and Soft6. What a week to be in Christchurch! 3 Days of T’bred racing, Trotting Cup Tuesday and Show day harness at Addington. Dogs same venue Thursday.

The Grand Tour bar and stage for Hot Dub Time Machine at Riccarton Park. Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ 2000 Guineas heralds on Canterbury’s iconic NZ Cup & Show Week tomorrow. Friday going Soft7, 3.7 penetrometer & 51.4% moisture reading. 18mm irrigation Thursday. First at 11:35am.

Riccarton Park Thursday. Going Soft6, 3.4 penetrometer, 42.3%moisture reading. Two horses galloped this morning. Riders hugely positive. Trying to replicate for racemorning so irrigating today in the face of high temperatures forecast. First of 11 on Saturday jumps 11:35am.

Additional seating on the Guineas Terrace at Ricccarton Park as we countdown to the first day of the NZ Cup Meeting on Saturday. 147 acceptances in 11 races. Wednesday going Soft7, 3.6 penetrometer and 50.9% moisture reading. Improved from Heavy8, 3.9 Tuesday.

Hard to believe after the weather on Saturday that the irrigation is going at Riccarton Park Thursday evening. Taking the opportunity of still conditions to keep the moisture and give in the track ahead of warm drying predictions for the lead up to NZ Cup Meeting 2024.

The countdown to the NZ Cup Meeting at Riccarton Park is well and truly on.

It’s a holiday long weekend in NZ. So far I’ve watched horse racing live at Riccarton, NPC rugby (Go Wellington), the All Blacks, historic cricket by the Black Caps, racing again, League & now the netball with beer & toasted cheese for dinner. Might mow the lawns tomorrow 🤙🏻

Aidan O'Brien defends racing's relationship with betting 🗣 "Racing is the one sport in the world that people can do all their life. They can have a bet, or not have a bet. They can have an opinion, or not have an opinion. When they are working in their various jobs they can get…

There won’t be a better moment at Riccarton today than this. Third day back from illness Rohan Mudhoo rides SCHEDAR to victory. Mentor and friend Mike McCann trains and wife Payal takes time out from her Riccarton Park Function Centre duties to lead her husband back to scale.

Unfortunately the rain came. About 6 hours earlier than predicted. 34mm overnight and still falling. Heavy9 4.3 penetrometer. Three horses worked on the Course Proper at 6:50. Riders reported no issues other than just a wet track.

Warm drying Riccarton Park day has going now Good4 2.6 penetrometer Friday afternoon. Plenty of rain in the overnight forecast and all day tomorrow. Not really what we want but the rail is out so there is protection for day 2 of the Cup Meeting in two weeks.