Sport
9 November, 2022
Race club in solid position
DESPITE having to cancel the past three annual race meetings, the future of the Mortlake races looks solid.
DESPITE having to cancel the past three annual race meetings, the future of the Mortlake races looks solid.
Mortlake Race Club chairman Bruce Redpath this week confirmed the club was in a “solid financial position” despite the recent cancellations – which resulted in no crowds trackside as a direct result of COVID-19 and, in 2022, heavy rainfall.
“We were all looking forward to having crowds back trackside at our annual Cup meeting this month, but the weather had other plans,” Bruce said.
“With such heavy, constant rainfall it simply was not possible and our hands were forced; believe me, the decision was made with heavy hearts.
“After two years of COVID interruptions we were very eager to have racegoers back.
While the track was rated heavy, the grounds were definitely not up to hosting big crowds.
People would have been walking through mud and water in gumboots, and the car parks could not have handled so much traffic yet alone buses.”
In the lead-up to this month’s scheduled meet, a “power of work” had been undertaken at the track thanks to the work of many volunteers, and tradesmen, over countless hours.
Thanks to COVID support funding from CRV (Country Racing Victoria) and RVL (Racing Victoria Ltd) the club was able to complete numerous upgrades and works including drainage, rose gardens, winning posts, jockey’s rooms, stalls, new horse wash facilities, painting and various other works.
“There really has been a power load of work done by many people – most of which is yet to be seen and enjoyed by the general public,”Bruce said.
“However, all this puts us in good stead for the future. We take great pride in our track and its surrounds and we are in a solid financial position moving forward.”
At the club’s annual meeting earlier this week, Bruce was re-elected chairman while Richard Beeck was elected vice-president.
The committee includes Donna Richardson, Paul Delaney, Tony McLennan, Jack Mahoney, Tony Coolahan and Kevin Riordan.
The club also confirmed that the 2022 bet365 Mortlake Cup will be run at this Saturday’s race day in Terang.