New Carnarvon Race Club Running Rail
14 June, 2018
Thoroughbred
Photo L – R: Inspecting the new rail was Carnarvon Race Club President Glenn Gregory, Minister for Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan and Racing and Waging WA General Manager Racing Charlotte Mills.
The Carnarvon Race Club recently completed a $134, 500 project to upgrade the racecourse facilities to a new plastic inner running rail.
The project was completed with a State Government investment of $119,700 of Royalties for Regions funding and $14,800 from the Racing and Wagering WA Racing Grants Budget FY18.
The Carnarvon Race Club conducts ten (10) race meetings each season and has the largest racecourse circumference in Western Australia, requiring 3000m of plastic rail.
Western Australia’s largest Thoroughbred racecourse has been upgraded to make it safer for jockeys, participants and spectators attending the historic Carnarvon Race Club.
Prior to the upgrade, Carnarvon Race Club was one of the few racing venues in WA that still operated with aluminium running rail that has been place since 1944. Plastic running rails are safer for both horse and rider in the event of an incident.
Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) General Manager Racing, Charlotte Mills said this project was further evidence of both RWWA’s and the State Government’s commitment to regional Western Australia.
“We are committed to ensuring the sustainability of racing in regional WA by working with local racing clubs to upgrade oncourse facilities such as plastic railing, stabling, lighting and sheds,” Ms Mills said.
The existing poles for the aluminium running rail were cut off at ground level and the new rail was supplied with saddles that allowed the new plastic poles to be fitted inside the existing footings.
The rail will be stored outside of the racing season to mitigate the risk of rail being lost or damaged during a severe weather event ensuring the longevity of the new railing.
Comments from the Minister for Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan
“The upgrade to a plastic running rail at Carnarvon Race Club is a practical move that will help the cost of the running of the Club and provide many years of enjoyment for the community,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“I had the opportunity to see the fence, in all its glory, at Ladies Day last weekend.”
Media Contact:
Kate Bishop, Corporate Communications Coordinator
P: (08) 9445 5201
E: kate.bishop@rwwa.com.au