By Bridie Byrne
RACING Victoria has strongly indicated that the Werribee racecourse will become a quarantine centre for this year’s Spring Racing Carnival.
Spokesman Damian Booth said the new quarantine base might be heading towards Werribee.
“It is looking likely and if we took the direction to go to Werribee there are matters of infrastructure in terms of getting it firmly established,” he said.
“Once that has occurred Sandown would cease to be the quarantine facility.”
The racecourse would house the international horses who arrive in late September to undergo quarantine procedures and adjust to local conditions.
Horse racing can resume after a $4 million track upgrade.
Racing Victoria would cover the cost in return for Werribee undertaking the high-profile role.
The Bendigo Cup will be held on the Wednesday before the Melbourne Cup taking Werribee’s pinnacle race day.
Mr Booth said the Werribee Cup would run on 11 November and a venue was yet to be decided.
Werribee Racecourse chief executive David Horsburgh said the change of date was a good sign.
“It’s an indication from the industry that they are still considering us,” he said.
Racing Victoria’s directions paper into overhauling the industry will be made public in May.
