Friday 9 December 2011

Thoroughbred racing to return to the Yarra Valley

Racing will be returned to Yarra Valley with the Minister for Racing Denis Napthine today announcing a $2.6 million package for the reconstruction of the Yarra Valley racecourse after extensive flood damage.

Dr Napthine said the Victorian Coalition Government, Racing Victoria, Country Racing Victoria and Yarra Valley Racing had worked hard to return thoroughbred racing to Yarra Valley after floods ravaged the course and damaged the thoroughbred racetrack on five occasions during 2010 and 2011.

“Yarra Valley will once again come alive to the thunder and excitement of thoroughbred horses’ hooves bearing down the straight with a return to racing in late 2012,” Dr Napthine said.

“This significant project will see a major redevelopment of the track including improvement of the track’s camber, a new racing surface and flood mitigation works. There will also a number of upgrades to improve the comfort and amenities for spectators.

“These works will contribute to a vastly safer racing surface for horses and riders and make the track much less prone to flood events.”

The Coalition Government will contribute $1.3 million towards the project with Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria jointly contributing $650,000. Yarra Valley Racing will contribute the remaining $650,000.

Member for Seymour Cindy McLeish said the social and economic benefits to the return of racing were significant.

“This major funding partnership will guarantee the return of jobs and racing opportunities for the Yarra Valley community, which has been very resilient through this difficult time,” Ms McLeish said

“The club is to be congratulated for its cooperative approach to finding a solution including working extensively with Melbourne Water to pinpoint potential causes for the flooding and to identify options to mitigate future flooding events.”

Yarra Valley Racing Chief Executive Brett Shambrook said the announcement was a tremendous relief to Yarra Valley Racing after an extremely difficult 12 months.

“The loss of thoroughbred racing has not only affected the club and its participants but the whole Yarra Valley community which receives significant economic benefits from the large amount of race meeting attendees annually,” Mr Shambrook said.

“These works will provide improvements to the entire grounds that will significantly reduce risk to the racing business and further develop the venue into a major event centre for the region.

Racing Victoria Chief Operating Officer Bernard Saundry said the partnership with the Victorian Government would see Yarra Valley Racing reinstated as one of the most successful clubs in regional Victoria, having made history by being awarded the Country Racing Club of the Year Award for three consecutive years – 2007, 2008 and 2009.

“Yarra Valley is one of the state’s premier country venues and Racing Victoria understands the importance of the club being able to conduct its schedule of meetings which is why these works are pivotal for both the club and country racing. We wish the club well for the resumption of racing toward the end of 2012,” Mr Saundry said.

Country Racing Victoria Chief Executive Officer Scott Whiteman congratulated and thanked the Victorian Government for their support saying Yarra Valley was one of country Victoria’s flagship clubs

“These works will ensure the club retains its rightful position as the clear leader of events at country racing venues, not only in Victoria but also across all regional areas of Australia,” Mr Whiteman said.