Thoroughbred Park racing surfaces update

In line with recommendations provided by an independent Agronomist, racing will return to the synthetic Acton Track next month as the Canberra Racing Club look to afford the Course Proper an extended break for the first time since the Spring of 2019.

A significant workload since this time has made efforts to conduct soil stability repairs and reseeding paramount to the long-term health of the track. On-going maintenance will see regular re-seeding of Poa pratensis (Kentucky Grass), Lolium perenne (Perennial Ryegrass) and Festuca arundimacea (Turf type tall fescue) to continually provide competition for the germinating Poa Annua (winter grass).

The Club has constructed a large scale turfgrass nursery which contains the same sand profile and turfgrass varieties as the Course Proper. This will allow for the provision of ready to race turf replacement as needed.

The Club will exceed the recommended four months needed to provide the Course Proper with sufficient time to be reseeded with racing on the synthetic Acton Track beginning Friday 21 May 2021. Five race meetings at Thoroughbred Park will continue on the Acton Track throughout the winter months with racing returning to the grass on Friday 3 September 2021.

 “As the only synthetic track utilised for racing in NSW/ACT, the Club is in a strong position to provide the community with racing year-round.” Canberra Racing Club Chief Executive Officer Andrew Clark said.

“The refurbished Acton Track was raced upon in 2017, 2018 and 2019 with remedial work on the track taking place in 2020. Currently utilised six days a week for track work and jump outs, the Acton Track has received positive feedback from Jockeys after three trials in recent months and is ready to resume being raced upon.”

 

Image: Fibre is used in in combination with other materials to provide a safe and durable racing surface on the Acton Track