Te Akau Thursday Update

Karyn writes:

It has been a tough week for us in Auckland but the news thus far is all very positive regarding David's open heart surgery and post operative recovery.

Wednesday was Day 2 post op and the surgeons could not be more happy with the progress David is making.  Tuesday, as you would imagine, was a really difficult day with lots of tubes and wires and monitors and constant checks.  However it was great that after 24 hours, he could be moved from ICU to a room on the cardiac care ward.

Wednesday he was impressing his surgeons and nurses with his rapid progress - he still gets very tired and has pain but he is taking short walks unaided and feeling very positive.  The wires and tubes, oxygen, heart monitors etc have been removed and it is onwards and upwards for sure.

There is no doubt that all of your calls, emails, texts, cards, flowers and kind wishes have proved a real tonic for David and he thanks you all for your care and amazing concern for his well-being.  He said to say that he is on his way back stronger and better than ever (sounds like a very good racehorse)!  Watch out - he will be unstoppable!

So thank you from the bottom of our hearts - we won't forget 2013 in a hurry!

On the racing front our recent winners have all come through their races well - we have some very exciting weeks and months ahead for sure.  This recent bad weather across the North Island has caused a little havoc with the tracks so we will be keeping a very flexible eye on where these horses will next appear.

Another busy day today as I travel from Auckland to Hamilton for the Annual Meeting of the Waikato Racing Club where I am on the Board.  Tonight I will be confirmed as the new Chairman of the Waikato Racing Club, elected unopposed, and I am enthusiastically looking forward to this new challenge as the first woman to serve in the role.

Most commentators agree that Te Rapa has the finest track in the country and with that as our foundation, I have a dedicated and dynamic team committed to taking the Club to the next level.  My sincere thanks to my nominator Sir Patrick Hogan and seconder, current Chairman David Smith for their support and confidence.  David (Ellis) was of course the Chairman of the Club prior to David Smith when the track was reconstructed, providing the outstanding surface that Te Rapa enjoys today.