BALLARAT Turf Club is set to see upgrades to the inside grass track with the aim of creating a year-round racehorse training facility.<\/p>\n
Proposed works include stripping the existing grass training track, with the base to be re-built and widened for better drainage.<\/p>\n
A new watering system will also be installed before the turf is re-laid and railings added.<\/p>\n
Expected to be complete early next year, the upgrade is worth about $1.3 million and part of BTC\u2019s aim of providing a variety of horse training surfaces to local stables.<\/p>\n
Funding for the works is coming via $400,000 from the club and $900,000 from the State Government.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thankful to the Victorian Government for their ongoing support for projects such as the upgrade to our inside grass training track,\u201d BTC chair Bill Gribble said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wider upgraded track will provide a more consistent surface and better enable our ever-increasing cluster of local trainers to prepare their horses for racing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of those using the training centre, about 650 horses are based at Dowling Forest while 150 live off-site.<\/p>\n
Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett, said the State Government funding was about catering to that demand.<\/p>\n
\u201cUpgrades like this support the racing industry by lifting the quality of our facilities, driving participation and creating a strong and viable future for racing in Victoria,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison, said the new surface will not only ensure year-round use but improve animal welfare.<\/p>\n
The grass and sand tracks will be closed during the works and training hours changed, but alternative locations will be made available to the site\u2019s users.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BALLARAT Turf Club is set to see upgrades to the inside grass track with the aim of creating a year-round racehorse training facility. Proposed works include stripping the existing grass training track, with the base to be re-built and widened for better drainage. A new watering system will also be installed before the turf is […]<\/p>\n