Flood Damaged Yarra Valley Racecourse To Be Rebuilt

The Racing Victoria Board has pledged it’s support to rebuild the Yarra Valley Racing Club after it was inundated by five separate floods in five months.

Racing at Yarra Valley has been suspended, with the loss of sand on the track making both racing and training impossible.

The Chief Executive of Racing Victoria, Rob Hines, told of the importance of Yarra Valley to the thoroughbred racing industry.

“Yarra Valley Racing is one of the most successful event managers in regional Australia,” Mr Hines said.

“We are determined to safeguard this jewel of country racing and get the Club racing again as soon as possible.”

The Victoria Racing Board is working closely with the Victorian Government to ensure that the vital racecourse is not subjected to any further flooding.

“The Minister for Racing, Denis Napthine, is taking an important leadership role in helping the Club tackle the challenge and is facilitating discussions with Melbourne Water to find solutions to mitigate future flood risk,” Mr Hines said.

“…Racing Victoria is scoping the options for repairing the course proper including the possibility of a total track reconstruction.

Yarra Valley Racing Chairman, Barry Coulthard, has been encouraged by the amount of interest and support that has been directed towards his flood-ravaged Club, and is optimistic about the racecourse’s future.

“It has been a very tough time for all concerned at Yarra Valley Racing, however it is comforting to know that we have the full support of both the Government and the racing industry,” Mr Coulthard said.

“We are sure that together we can put in place a plan that will allow Yarra Valley Racing to prosper well into the future.”

Racing Victoria is currently considering the options of whether to repair the course proper or conduct a complete track reconstruction.

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