News

Werribee firms as quarantine centre

6th Apr 2009

Herald Sun - Adrian Dunn - Monday, 6 April 2009

EXILED country track Werribee could still be rescued with RVL CEO Rob Hines projecting the beleaguered circuit as an "international horse centre"

Under RVL's vision, the new-look Werribee would have the capacity to host three separate quarantine barns to cope with the varying arrival dates of overseas horses for the spring carnival.

While Hines said Werribee was the venue of choice for relocating the quarantine centre the question of finding the $5 million to renovate the troubled track, which hasn't raced for more than 16-months, remains unanswered.

Hines noted that while Werribee has hosted irregular trials, which has drawn horses from all the top Flemington trainers.

But, he said it is a different proposition coping with horses working on the track daily for a six week period with the track set to a Dead 7.

"If we can't get the track to suitable condition the question I'm asking is if it's not suitable for racing is it suitable for training for the international horses and there is a question mark over that," Hines said.

"It looks as if we would have to do a track renovation before the international horses arrive and time might beat us this year."

RVL will finalise plans by early May.

While Melbourne Racing Club is keen for the quarantine centre to be moved from Sandown it will host the internationals again this year if required.