Ballarat meeting moved to Warrnambool
Ballarat won’t host another race meeting until its inaugural jumps festival next month with another program transferred.
Racing Victoria announced on Wednesday that next Thursday’s Ballarat meeting had been moved to Warrnambool.
Two other scheduled meetings for the track in the past three weeks were also transferred.
“While it is disappointing that we have had to transfer the race meeting, this is the best decision to ensure the success of the Ballarat Jumps Festival,” Ballarat Turf Club’s chief executive Lachlan McKenzie said.
“There is a section in the home straight that is still not draining as required due to the compaction issues that have been ongoing since the track re-surfacing.”
RV’s executive general manager – infrastructure, Jamie McGuinness, said moving the July 28 meeting would give the club more time to get the track in optimum condition.
“Earlier this month, two meetings were transferred from the venue after experiencing heavy rainfall as well as a busy schedule of racing in the last six months,” McGuinness said.
“The transfers will allow the club to best prepare for the inaugural two-day Ballarat Jumps Festival in August, featuring the Grand National Steeplechase.”
The Ballarat Jumps Festival is on August 20 and 21.