RV and MRC to investigate Sandown surface
Racing authorities will hold an investigation into the safety of the Sandown Lakeside course with a second meeting called off in less than two months.
Wednesday’s meeting was abandoned after three races when jockeys said some horses were losing their footing near the home turn.
Racing Victoria and the Melbourne Racing Club will coordinate an independent investigation into the surface after a meeting was also abandoned on July 20.
The next scheduled meeting on the Lakeside track is scheduled for December 7.
“The Melbourne Racing Club takes full responsibility for the issues with the Sandown Lakeside track …and we apologise to all participants and punters for the abandonment of the meeting. It is nowhere near the standards we expect,” MRC chief executive Brodie Arnhold said.
“The track is due for a planned break and renovation over the coming months. Through that time a full and thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the issues we’ve had, and their future prevention.”
The major Sandown meeting featuring the Zipping Classic in November is run on the Hillside course.