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The hearing set to take place at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 17

WorkSafe on Monday issued six charges against the Cranbourne Turf Club and two against the Saloon Park training stable following the death in August 2019 of promising jockey Mikaela Claridge.

Claridge perished before first light after an incident while aboard a horse trained by Ken and Casey Keys – of Saloon Park – in an unlit section of the training centre known as the sand trails.

Six charges were laid against the Cranbourne Turf Club, including that it failed to protect Claridge against health and safety risks and that it failed to ensure the workplace was safe.

WorkSafe has alleged that the Cranbourne Training Centre failed to maintain the sand trails at a safe standard for use and that Saloon Park failed to ensure employees did not ride on the sand trails track in the dark.

Progress has been slow but training times at Rosehill have adjusted in recent times and a fortnight ago trackwork was extended until 10.30am at Mornington as part of a three-month trial.

The debate has polarised stables throughout Australia, with some insisting early starts are essential for expediency and other reasons, while others are adamant change must occur to entice interest in stable jobs.

The case will begin with a filing hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 17.