Randwick renovations set to rejuvenate racing in Sydney
SYDNEY’S premiere racing venue Royal Randwick is undergoing extensive renovation in anticipation of what is set to be the biggest autumn racing carnival the city has ever seen.
The refurbishments to the track began after Randwick’s last race meeting on Melbourne Cup day and the the track is expected to be completed and ready for racing in time for Inglis Villiers Day on Saturday, December 17.
The entire track from inside rail to the extreme outside fence will be tended to in order to enhance the track’s grass growth and drainage at a Randwick track which notoriously can be difficult to get in good shape if inclement weather persists.
Last year’s torrential rain played havok during the Championships as the $3 million Doncaster Mile had to be moved from a weekend race to a Monday, and the race club is looking to avoid a similar scenario happening in 2017.
Royal Randwick Racecourse Manager Nevesh Ramdhani said the renovation will have the track in top order for Inglis Villiers Day, and will help to prepare the surface for any heavy rain leading up to and during the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
Randhani believes the renovations which leaves the course out of action for just over a month will be beneficial in ensuring the track remains intact and at an optimal level heading into a hectic autumn schedule.
“We are confident the track will be in excellent condition for Inglis Villiers Day, and give us plenty of lead in time around the new year and early 2017 to prepare for our biggest races in the Autumn.” Mr Ramdhani said.
“We have bought in a special machine to groove and aerate the surface beyond what we have done before.”
Mr Ramdhani said the renovation will be consistent across the entire surface so that no parts of the surface will be untouched, meaning unexpected delays and race day cancellations will hopefully be a thing of the past.
“We know that autumn can throw us a curve ball with rain so we have concentrated on complimenting the existing drainage to get it through the surface quicker and then deeper into the profile.
“The sand grooving has the added advantage of aerating the track which also helps to enhance the vigour and growth of the surface.