Ararat and Stawell Race Clubs have joined forces to ensure a race meeting will not be lost in the region.
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Last week Stawell put up their hand to help their neighboring club by hosting the Ararat races. In return Ararat will hold the Stawell races on Monday.
The arrangement was brokered by Racing Operations Manager at Racing Victoria Paul Bloodworth.
“Racing Victoria appreciate the assistance of Stawell Racing Club in taking the transfer of the Ararat meeting two weeks ago at short notice and again thank them for agreeing to swapping their next meeting back,” he said.
“This way Ararat retain their meeting numbers for this season. It’s pleasing to see two clubs working together in their region to support the overall racing program and not disadvantage participants.”
Ararat turf manager Adam Atchinson made the initial move to swap meetings and was pleased in the final result.
“By the two clubs working together the Wimmera don’t lose a race meeting,” Atchinson said.
“It would have been a real shame if Racing Victoria had to move it outside of our region. We have a good relationship with Stawell and have regular contact so it was an easy decision to go to them with the request and the result works well for both clubs.”
Ararat have since fixed its irrigation problem and are set to race on a good four track Monday.
Stawell were also happy with how things transpired as they now have an additional two weeks to prepare for the Stawell cup.
While last week’s short notice proved a challenge Stawell Racing Club operations manager Mark Percival said the meeting was a success,.
“It was a challenge to get the meeting off the ground with only 54 hours notice, but a great effort by our track manager Chris Grayham and his team along with support from our committee enabled us to have a great day of Country Racing,”
After nine races on a dry day Graham and the track committee felt with their major meeting at Easter just around the corner an additional race meeting would have put the track at risk.
”The extra two weeks preparation time is a blessing in disguise as it will enable Chris and his team to have the track in tip top condition for Easter,” Percival said.
“Planning is well underway for Easter and marquees and umbrella packages are starting to sell fast.”
Stawell race on April 16.
