News

Geelong ThoroughTrack renovation postponed

4th May 2009

Racing Victoria - Monday, 4 May 2009

Following representations from the Australian Trainers Association (ATA) and Geelong trainers’ representative, Glenn Thornton, Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) has announced a deferral of the ThoroughTrack remedial work until next spring.

The RVL Board at its meeting last Thursday approved a proposal for extensive remedial works to be undertaken on the track surface. However concerns were raised that if this work commenced immediately and the ThoroughTrack was closed, Geelong trainers would be left without a surface on which to train their horses.

The turf track at Geelong is currently not operational for racing or training however work has started which will enable racing to re-commence at Geelong on the turf track in July weather permitting.

Taking these matters into consideration it has been decided that the planned remedial work will not commence on the ThoroughTrack until next spring, allowing trainers to continue using the ThoroughTrack for training purposes throughout the winter months.

It is expected the ThoroughTrack will be ready for racing again in April 2010.

RVL Chief Executive Officer Rob Hines said: “RVL is committed to ensuring that local trainers have a reliable surface on which they could continue to train horses whilst ensuring that we have a program to return the ThoroughTrack to full use by next season.”

“The ATA believes there is no other option but to suspend the essential remedial works on the ThoroughTrack until Geelong trainers have a reliable alternative track to prepare their horses. Geelong trainers would have been seriously disadvantaged,” said ATA Chief Executive John Alducci.

Geelong Trainer’s Association representative Glenn Thornton said trainers are unanimously relieved that they will be able to continue to train their horses just like others do at their registered training centres.

The Geelong Racing Club has recently purchased 10 megalitres of water and is currently performing renovations on the turf track, with a view to having it available for training and racing from 1 July.

“We’re doing a complete renovation of the grass surface and weather permitting, the club is hoping the track will be back in a usable position by July,” said Geelong Racing Club CEO Paul Carroll.

RVL will reschedule the programmed meetings to venues which will cause minimal disruption for industry participants.