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York Racing in battle for track
Posted on 19/07/2008 | Posted by Geoff Whittle | Back to News Archive
Vigorous protests are expected after Racing and Wagering WA made the decision to close the historic Mount Bakewell York Racetrack this week. The club commenced racing in 1843 and is Australia�s oldest thoroughbred racetrack. Putting the club�s history into some perspective are the facts that the WA Turf Club was not former until 1852, the first Melbourne Cup did not take place until 1861 and the closest other country club formed in WA was the Northam Race Club in 1863. The Avon Valley was once a hub of WA racing with four tracks operating at Toodyay, Northam, York and the sand track at Beverley. With the closure of York, only Northam remains as an active racing location. Toodyay have one carnival meeting a year and York could be headed for the same fate. York Racing Club president Barry Mahood and his committee have been told by RWWA that the 165-year-old track would be converted into a quarantine centre and a horse training facility. They were also informed that racing was to cease. A traditional winter track, York has had drainage problems with several meetings being cancelled or abandoned in recent seasons. RWWA officials have notified York�s committee that the five race meetings scheduled for September through to November will be transferred to Belmont or Northam. York officials have been told that the course will become a quarantine station for horses, including overseas and eastern states gallopers racing at Perth carnivals. The track will now be used for training purposes only. The local racing people are angry and will go to the Government in their fight to keep the York racetrack open for racing. The Club has quotes to say the track can be upgraded to racing standard for about $300,000. Opinions are strong that it will take more than $300,000 to upgrade the track to a point where it is suitable for training of Ascot carnival visitors. RWWA executive general manager Ken Norquay said York�s estimate of $300,000 to restore their racing surface was underestimating costs. He said that major works were required to redevelop a modern racetrack. He added that drainage problems stem from the back of the track being higher than the home straight. Norquay did not rule out one off fixtures such as the York Cup meeting being run when the track is dry.� The York Club look to have Shadow Racing Minister and experienced racing identity John McGrath on side. He walked the track with York officials this week. �The course should continue to conduct TAB meetings on a regular basis, with all its fixtures moved to spring,� Mr McGrath said. �Track design is good and racing would be safe if meetings were held later than York�s traditional racing season.�
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