Friday, 21 May 2010: Work has commenced this week on Victoria's new $1.4 million International Horse Quarantine Centre at Werribee Racecourse ahead of the 2010 Spring Racing Carnival.
The Centre will serve as the home for international racehorses that campaign in Victoria, assuming the role from the decommissioned quarantine centre at Betfair Park (Sandown) which has served the industry for the past 17 years.
It will house up to 24 horses across two compounds and is due for completion by August in time to accept the first internationals targeting Melbourne's spring riches.
Visiting horses will enjoy first class training facilities with the entire Werribee circuit resurfaced and the revolutionary Mawsafe plastic running rail installed as part of a $5 million upgrade.
Both projects have been jointly funded by the State Government, Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) and Country Racing Victoria (CRV) under the auspices of the Regional Racecourse Infrastructure Fund.“
The industry-owned and administered International Horse Quarantine Centre at Werribee is a critical tool in attracting international horses to Victoria to compete in our premier races,” RVL General Manager – Racing Operations, Leigh Jordon, said.
“With this year's Spring Racing Carnival featuring the historic 150th Emirates Melbourne Cup we are expecting to house a strong contingent of international horses at our new state-of-the-art facility at Werribee.
“Importantly, the upgraded track provides a first class racing surface not just for the international horses, but for the conduct of race meetings when racing resumes at Werribee next season.”
Once racing resumes at Werribee on Saturday, 4 December, 2010, it will cease annually between September and November and be devoted exclusively to the international horses.
Like its predecessor though, the Centre has been built such that it can house international horses in quarantine year round whilst race meetings are conducted.
