Work to remediate the Albion Park Harness Racing Club (APHRC) track will commence following the meeting on Tuesday 9 October 2018 after the abandonment of three meetings in recent weeks due to inclement weather.
Racing Queensland (RQ) and the APHRC have agreed to undertake a full track resurface including the use of crusher dust, which has been previously used successfully on Queensland tracks.
As a consequence, the meetings scheduled for Albion Park on 11, 12 and 16 October have been transferred to the recently renovated Redcliffe track. Advice on whether additional meetings need to be transferred will be advised as the remediation project progresses.
RQ Chief Operating Officer Adam Wallish said with the wetter summer months approaching, the club and RQ agreed an immediate remediation project was required to ensure the continuity of racing long-term.
“Racing Queensland wishes to thank both the Albion Park and Redcliffe clubs, as well as all participants for their cooperation during this time,” he said.
“Given the abandonment of metropolitan races over the past two weeks RQ and APHRC will put in place a range of initiatives to distribute the unpaid stakes. This will include increasing the prize money on offer for selected metropolitan races over the coming months.”
Mr Wallish said RQ and all clubs would now work together to build on the ongoing track maintenance schedule to prevent incidents like this occurring in the future.
“It was unfortunate the Albion Park abandonments occurred at a time when The Redcliffe Harness Racing Club track was undergoing scheduled renovation works,” Mr Wallish said.
“The works included the regrading and consolidation of the track base with new material. Training operations resumed at the Redcliffe track last week ahead of the first race meeting scheduled on the new surface on Wednesday night 10 October. We look forward to continue working with all clubs to ensure participants and horses are able to compete on safe and competitive tracks.”
APHRC Chairman David Fowler said: “The abandonment of meetings on consecutive Saturdays was unacceptable, thus an immediate solution was required to restore the confidence of participants and punters.”