AFTER Bathurst Race Club was stripped of its licence last week for the second water related debacle in as many months, Racing Orange chair Ellie Brown assured punters the same problem will never occur at Orange’s Towac Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Friday, Bathurst’s TAB meeting was abandoned due to over irrigation on parts of the racetrack, leaving it unfit for racing. On a 35 degree day.
Incredibly, in November, the racetrack also had a farcical situation where the sprinklers activated mid-race, while the horses were moving into the home straight.
Brown rejected any notion Orange would ever have such a problem.
“It definitely wouldn’t happen here,” she said.
“While I don’t really understand the irrigation system Bathurst uses, I know ours is different. Here in Orange, we make sure we have specific plans and processes for our maintenance. I’m not sure, maybe Bathurst needs to organise it a bit more.”
Bathurst’s electronic sprinkler system can be turned on electronically, and was activated from Queensland on Friday. An override switch could have been used to avoid the problem.
Racing Orange could profit as a result of the suspension if there is a chance any scheduled meetings, including next month’s Bathurst Cup, needed to be moved to a different venue.
Brown said if Racing New South Wales was to make the decision, Racing Orange would oblige.
“We’re here to support Racing NSW, first and foremost,” she said.
“We’ll be waiting for the results of the investigation, and whatever Racing NSW decide we’ll be happy with. I’m sure we’d be happy to host a meeting if it was moved. Our main focus is on the participants, and spectators.”
matthew.findlay@fairfaxmedia.com.au