By LIAM TWOMEY
RACING Victoria has confirmed this month’s Werribee Cup will go ahead. The decision was made last week after the Werribee track received glowing reports from RV Stewards and the Victorian Jockeys’ Association.
Highly respected jockeys Chris Symons, Michelle Payne, Brad Rawiller and Steven Arnold galloped eight horses on the renovated section of the track.
“The area where they have focused on the track is first class,” Symons said of the inside seven metres.
“They’ve added a rye grass to it which has definitely given it a bit of structure and strength, so that will only benefit the track.”
The Werribee Cup was originally scheduled for mid-November but will now take place on Sunday 15 December.
Werribee Racing Club general manager Ross Kendell said he was always confident the track would be given the all clear.
“We knew that the track would be right,” he said.
“We said when the meeting got called off that we knew the track at that stage was really close to being able to race. As we said previously, we weren’t prepared to take the risk.
“We knew that within a week or so the track would really be starting to explode and within a month, which is when the meeting was re-scheduled for, we knew that the track would be absolutely fantastic. It is really at that point now.”
Kendell also praised the hard work of the Werribee ground staff in getting the track back to its best.
“I feel really good for those guys because they have been under a fair bit of pressure and they have really worked their tails off,” he said.
“They have been working exceptionally hard and for them to get that approval and those compliments about the track, that’s who I feel really good for. I know how hard they work. Their hearts are all in wanting to have a great track at Werribee.”
The Werribee Cup will have a festive feel with the race taking place just 10 days before Christmas.
Entry to the meet will be free and there will also be on course musical acts and kids’ entertainment as well as a number of food options and a shuttle bus running to and from the track.
“Now we are looking at really having a Christmas Cup,” Kendell said.
“It is more about the Christmas parties and people getting down and enjoying the races. It is that time of year where people are starting to wind down and relax and get together with friends and family and getting into the festive spirit. It is a great opportunity to get out onto the racecourse.”
