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Racing Victoria will implement track management procedures at Ararat Park following the abandonment of the race meeting on December 10 before a race was run

Jockeys determined that the track was unsafe for racing ahead of the first race due to inconsistencies in the surface, including a particularly wet section of the track in the home straight and an opposing firm section on the outside of the track.

RV’s Executive General Manager – Infrastructure and Club Support, Jamie McGuinness said discussion around irrigation procedures had been extremely productive and that he was confident in the Club’s ability to prepare the surface ahead of its next meeting on December 30.

“The situation which led to the abandonment of last week’s meeting was an outcome of the Ararat Turf Club’s irrigation procedures which have since been addressed by our track management team,” McGuinness said.

“The Club has embraced feedback and we are now working together to implement a new irrigation plan, as well as a number of actions to ensure future meetings are conducted on an optimum racing surface.

The Club had been informed their tow-line irrigation system required constant monitoring when in use, that a moisture sensor must be used after each irrigation session to determine soil moisture content and to increase the use of its penetrometers to determine track rating.

Before its next meeting the Club will aerate and irrigate the outside section of the home straight which was noted as being firm, and conduct a service of all irrigation equipment.

RV will loan the Club a moisture sensor to assist in the management of the surface.

McGuinness added that the abandonment of the meeting served as an important reminder that club officials must notify stewards if they hold any doubt as to the suitability of a surface for racing.

“Had Racing Victoria been notified of inconsistencies in the surface at Ararat there would have been an opportunity to transfer the meeting,” he said.