March 22, 2016
The Australian Turf Club has donated two more sets of barrier stalls to country race clubs as it replaces these barriers with new gates at metropolitan courses.
The Tuncurry Forster Jockey Club will receive a 16-set stall of barriers from Canterbury Park and the Cootamundra Turf Club will take ownership of a 14-horse set from Rosehill Gardens in coming weeks.
The donated stalls have been continually maintained and are still up to metropolitan standard.
Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager of Racing James Heddo said the Club had worked with Racing NSW to identify those country courses most in need of the barriers.
Mr Heddo said the ATC had regularly donated barrier stalls and other racing infrastructure such as running rails previously, most recently to the Tweed River Jockey Club for its Murwillumbah track.
“We have started using the new Steriline gates at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens for the Sydney Autumn Carnival, and will also use new sets at Canterbury Park in a few weeks time,’’ Mr Heddo said.
“The ATC is delighted to donate the replaced stalls for country clubs which are in most need of more modern equipment.”
Cootamundra Turf Club President Brad Shields said: “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Australian Turf Club.
“Our existing barrier stalls are over 40 years of age and in poor condition, which almost caused the abandonment of our Darley Cootamundra Cup Meeting in October.
“The acquisition of these barrier stalls follows the ATC’s donation of over 2000 metres of running rail to our Club in early 2015, for the entire outside perimeter of our track as well as the creation of chutes at the 800m, 1200m, 1400m and 1600m starting points.
“The CTC committee are thrilled that Australia’s premier race club continues to show us such tremendous support – our future viability would be in serious doubt if it was not for their generosity.”
President of the Tuncurry Forster Jockey Club Garry McQuillan said: “This donated set of 16 will replace the ageing barriers we now use, and help take us one step closer to being up there with the best racing venues on the New South Wales Coast.
“The donation really underlines the support being given to regional clubs by the ATC to upgrade their facilities, and generally enhance the racing experience.
“The new barriers will be in place for the next race meeting being held 10 September.’’