Caulfield closure leaves trainers in cold

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Trainer Andrew Noblet is among those being forced to move from Caulfield.

Some Caulfield trainers facing eviction have questioned why Sandown cannot be developed into a racing and training centre of quality.

The trainers were told last week training would cease at Caulfield in five years and they would need to relocate.

They have been told preferred relocation venues are the Pakenham racecourse at Nar Nar Goon or Cranbourne.

When they asked if Sandown could be developed, the trainers were told that was a “dead horse”.

Colin Little, who grew up around Caulfield and has been a trainer there for over 40 years, said Sandown was a magnificent complex, a jewel that he believes the Melbourne Racing Club is considering selling.

“Instead of tacking on somewhere, it could be a jewel like Newmarket of Chantilly,” Little said.

“South Africa has a state of the art training facility. We don’t.

“Caulfield was good, but it’s just no comparison with some of those places overseas.”

Little questions why Sandown could not be developed and believes the site will be sold as it is worth too much money.

“If that’s the case, tell us honestly,” he said.

Fellow trainer John Moloney is facing another forced move having left Epsom when it closed as a training hub in the late 1990s.

He said Pakenham was 10 to 15 years from being fully developed adding it was a cold and windy place and uncomfortable.

“Maybe in 15 years when it’s built up it might be all right, but in 15 years for me I might be in the retirement zone, Moloney said.

“We had to move from Epsom without a choice and now we have to move again without a choice.

“We had to move for the better but now we’re moving not for the better, I think.

“The brand name of Caulfield, a metropolitan track, is ruined.

“We have to move on with sorrow.”

Andrew Noblet has been associated with Caulfield for around 20 years.

With a young family and living in the Caulfield area he is not sure of what his plans will be.

“I won’t be commuting because it’s too hard in Melbourne, so I’ve got to think what’s best,” Noblet said.

“We all knew it was coming, but weren’t sure when.

“It’s when it does happen and reality kicks in you then realise how much the place means to you.”

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