Community
16 January, 2025
Upgrade underway
DALVUI Raceway underwent a facelift this week in preparation for two of Terang Harness Racing Club’s biggest events.
Crews were hard at work to replace the track surface, an extensive maintenance operation which requires a fleet of heavy vehicles working collaboratively over a three-day period.
As the track surface deteriorates, it creates a dust-like surface which can reduce cushion and make it difficult to keep the surface even.
Track curator Allan Driscoll said the club wanted to get the work done ahead of two upcoming meets, with day races on Monday, February 3 and the club’s feature event – the Terang Pacing Cup – on Friday, February 14.
“Every three years we replace the track surface, so we wanted to get it done before the running of the cup on February 14,” he said.
“It’ll be all new.
“We believe we’ve got the best track in Australia and this will only make it better.”
Mr Driscoll was joined by Tom Byrne, a track consultant for Harness Racing Victoria, who said track quality had a big impact on the quality of racing.
“The fresh track maximises the cushion for the horses,” he said.
“It retains moisture longer and better, makes it easier to manage in the wet, and is all-around a better product.
“It’s about a three-day job.”
Mr Driscoll said ensuring the track remains in top condition was a point of emphasis – particularly due to the number of local trainers and owners boasting some of the best talent in racing.
“Horse welfare is very important, especially when a lot of the animals are very expensive,” he said.
“We’re lucky in this area to have so many dominant breeders and really good horses.
“It’s especially true at the minute if you look at the likes of Marg Lee’s Keayang Zahara.
“Keeping horses in good health and racing longer is the aim of the industry.”
After the track surface is replaced, the older surface will be repurposed as it is spread across the training track on the interior as needed.
Mr Driscoll, who spent 38 years on the Terang Harness Racing Club committee, said the quality of the track and newly unveiled stabling upgrades had him feeling optimistic about the club’s future.
“We’re very fortunate because we feel we’ve got a great set-up here with the new stabling complex, which was about a $2.5 million upgrade,” he said.
“It can get very wet and cold here in the winter, so the new stables have made it so much more comfortable.
“When I first came on to the committee, it was nothing – we had an 800-metre track and the lighting hadn’t been done that long.
“We’ve come a long way, and a lot of it is credit to the Terang Harness Owners, Trainers and Supporters Group – they’re the reason we were able to get the stabling done – I think they raised around $400,000.
“It’s a great effort for a little community, but the harness racing community in this area is really supportive.”