Synthetic track opened at Turf Club

BALLARAT Turf Club’s synthetic track was officially opened last Friday afternoon by the State Minister for Racing, Martin Pakula.

The Polytrack surface has been a $10 million project over six months, funded by the Turf Club with money from the State government, Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria.

Mr Pakula said it’s only the second synthetic Polytrack in Victoria, alongside Pakenham.

“We’ve already seen the benefits of it on the weekend, when a race meeting that may have otherwise been cancelled went ahead on the synthetic,” he said.

“The ability it provides us to give us year-round racing is just unsurpassed.

It means you can train year-round, you don’t have to worry about the weather, and they’re very forgiving on the horses.

“From an animal welfare point of view, an all-round racing point of view, from a training, transference and reliability point of view, having this synthetic track here at Ballarat is a wonderful opportunity for this club and for this region.”