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Fears over an unsafe Sandown Park have been realised with the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) applying to Racing Victoria (RV) to have all meetings at the Victorian track transferred to different venues.
Already three meetings have been transferred after both jockeys and trainers raised concerns over the state of the course.
MRC CEO Brodie Arnhold said that following an expert analysis on the track, which has only recently opened in February 2014 after resurfacing would need some renovation.
“The object of the remedial work undertaken at William Hill Park is to return stability to the track by removing an excess of thatch that had built up in the surface, and encourage growth and strength in the roots below it,” Arnhold said.
“It is typically an 8-to-10-week process between renovation and return to racing, but we will allow a few additional weeks to ensure the track is in the best condition possible for the commencement of the upcoming season.
“Ensuring that is of utmost importance, given the workload this racecourse shoulders for the Victorian racing industry for the benefit of its participants and customers.”
With the halting of racing at Sandown for the time being, the track will be out of action till August 5. This means that there will need to be a new racing venue for the feature Grand National Hurdle (July 12) and Grand National Steeple (July 26).
It is expected that RV will release a full transfer of the venue later this week, with the next scheduled meeting set for Sandown on Wednesday May 13.
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