Pictures: SANDRA MORELLO
LEADING regional trainers have given the reconstructed Allan Scott Glenburnie Racecourse track the green light following the running of jump-outs on the circuit yesterday.
In its biggest test since its $3.3m redevelopment, the newly constructed track withstood the thunder of hooves during yesterday’s trial.
Trainers, industry and Mount Gambier Racing Club officials were yesterday buoyed with the track’s performance, which was described by one trainer as feeling like “carpet”.
Mount Gambier trainer Kane Post – who is a former jockey – described the new surface as sensational as the industry prepares for the return of autumn racing at Glenburnie.
“It rode absolutely beautifully,” Mr Post said trackside yesterday.
“The track felt like a (rating) five and as we move forward it will continue to consolidate and we will end up with a really good track,” Mr Post said.
Riding in three jump-outs yesterday, he said the galloping did not appear to leave any markings on the track.
With the reconstruction now completed, he foreshadowed the regional industry would now get “bigger and better”.
Trainer Darren Holland – who also rode in the jump-outs yesterday – said he was impressed by the new circuit.
“It feels like carpet, I could not feel the horses’ feet touch the ground,” Mr Holland told The Border Watch.
“The track is not soft at all, there is a beautiful cover of grass.
“The horses have not even marked the track.”
Optimistic about the future of the track, Mr Holland said he hoped the new circuit would continue to improve.
“It is only going to get better and better,” he said.
Questioned whether the new track could withstand heavy rain, Mr Holland said the track felt “like it would cope with anything”.
“I think the more rain the better myself – it should not even hurt it,” he said.
Regarding the dog leg in the track, the veteran trainers said the unique element would add a bit of “spice to the track”.
“I think horses will be able to win from anywhere on this track.
“Behind runners and midfield horses – they will be able to come from anywhere,” Mr Holland said.
Thoroughbred Racing SA chief operating officer Nick Redin said he was also delighted with the track’s performance.
“We are very happy with the way it has come up … it is what we wanted,” Mr Redin said.
“We are really looking forward to racing starting on April 12.
“It is great how the track has come up.”
Mr Redin said the new track was giving the sector “great confidence” moving forward.
He said he was particularly buoyed about the positive feedback flowing from the riders and trainers.
“This is a new era for racing in the Limestone Coast generally.
“It should give everybody down here a bit of confidence and to be very positive about the future,” Mr Redin said.
“To have this quality of a racing surface here is just brilliant.
“We are very confident that it will drain like we want it do drain in winter.”
He said the horses did not mark the circuit yesterday.
“That is the key – you can hear the lovely drum of hooves – there is no kick back or dirt coming back out,” Mr Redin said.
All the jump-outs were also filmed to ensure the newly installed high definition broadcasting equipment was working well ahead of the return of racing.
