Champion jockey and three times Scobie Breasley medallist Craig Williams inspects the plastic running rail at Cranbourne Training Centre. 21187 Picture: Stewart Chambers.
By Glen Atwell
THE installation of a plastic running rail at the Cranbourne Training Centre is complete, and jockeys and horses are the big winners.
A $300,000 upgrade to the synthetic track was also announced by racing minister Rob Hulls on Wednesday.
The improvements will ensure the safety of jockeys and horses.
Two thousand metres of plastic rail have replaced the inside running rail, and unlike its steel predecessor, will not fracture when impacted.
The new design features no steel above the ground and cost $152,000 to install.
Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge said he looked forward to seeing the plastic rail in action at the training complex.
“Any initiative, which improves safety for horses and riders, is welcome,” he said.
Victorian Jockey’s Association chief executive Des O’Keefe said jockeys were delighted at the prospect of the improved safety measures.
“We are satisfied the new rail and upright will improve jockey safety and will be ideal for Australian racing conditions which require regular rail movement without damaging the track profile,” he said.
Mr Hulls made the announcements at the Cranbourne Training Complex on Wednesday morning.
The deputy premier said Cranbourne would be a pilot program for the plastic rails.
“The rails could eventually be used at every Victorian racecourse,” Mr Hulls said.
More than 4000 horses use the Cranbourne training facilities every week, and MP Jude Perera said it was important safety was maintained.
“Cranbourne has provided an important training facility since 1990 and an upgrade of the synthetic training track and irrigation system will be a major boost for the complex,” he said.
