The British Horseracing Authority has deemed Newcastle Racecourse’s new £12M ($17.4M) tapeta all-weather track "fit for racing," according to Jamie Hardesty of BDAILY.
As well as the investment to build the track, complete with the first ever floodlit straight mile, racecourse owner Arena Racing Company "has made a number of other improvements to the equine facilities."
These include "resurfacing the pre-parade, parade ring and winner’s enclosure; refurbishment of the saddling boxes; complete modernisation of the vets’ facilities and stable yard with a new entrance to the horsebox park to improve access to the stables for horses and horseboxes; and a floodlit horse walk with new fibresand area for horses to relax and recover after racing." Following a series of successful trial runs this week, BHA Inspector of Courses Chris Dennis: "The feedback from trainers and jockeys was positive and no issues were identified with the track. The surface is ready for the first fixture on 17 May."
The 188BET First All-Weather Raceday on May 28 will be a £60,000 ($86,900) seven race card with a feature £20,000 ($29,000) handicap. 188BET "will sponsor six races with Tapeta Footings sponsoring the seventh race" (BDAILY, 5/4).
