PRESSUE is mounting on Racing Victoria Limited to widen the terms of reference of the investigation into the Werribee race meeting on Wednesday, in which an apprentice was injured in a nasty fall and two horses destroyed.
While RVL immediately launched a probe into the events at Werribee, concerned industry participants are also pushing for a report into who was responsible for more than $5 million in industry funding that was made available in 2008 for the upgrade of the track.
The funds were allocated to refurbish the antiquated drainage system and to bring the racing surface to a sustainable standard.
With both strategies now having failed, the future of the world-class quarantine facility at the track must now be under review which could also affect the plans of international trainers targeting the spring carnival, in particular the Melbourne Cup.
If the quarantine centre is unable to accommodate the visiting stayers, it will create another nightmare for officials.
And some RVL executives are fearful of possible litigation following the two horse deaths on Wednesday, and of possible long-term injuries suffered by apprentice Boris Thornton, who was taken to hospital for precautionary X-rays.
Thornton was catapulted into the running rail when his mount, Frenchkook, put his foot in a hole and broke its leg.
Industry participants want those responsible for the upgrades at Werribee to explain how the course is at the point of collapse.
Noted track walkers said the surface at Werribee was hopelessly uneven on Wednesday.
”One spot was a slow 6, the next a heavy 8, then back to a dead 5, and then take a step and you are a heavy 10 again. No one could possibly have a serious bet on that goat track,” one said.
And that’s where it just gets worse for RVL. Professional punters would not be involved in such a meeting when the track had varying conditions and resembled a patchwork quilt, seriously affecting the turnover of the industry’s wagering partner, Tabcorp.
What made it worse for punters was that Werribee was given a Wednesday date – the most lucrative in the working week.
Stewards determined that a section of the track between the 900 metres and 600 metres had deteriorated to the point where it was unsafe for racing.
