Racing: Club, trainers at loggerheads

A turf war is brewing between the Albany Racing Club and local trainers over access to the grass track.

Trainers held an urgent meeting with Albany MP Peter Watson on Friday in a bid to get permission for two grass gallops a week on the track.

Seventeen local trainers signed a petition requesting the grass gallop twice a week, claiming they are disadvantaged compared to visiting trainers who are able to do more track work.

The petition was presented to Albany Racing Club with a letter requesting three trainers attend a committee meeting to discuss the matter.

Albany trainer Steve Wolfe said it was vital to have two grass gallops a week to stay competitive in the industry.

“To take our horses to Perth and be competitive we need two gallops a week, basically to keep them fit enough,” he said.

“We can use the sand track and other methods but we need fast gallops to give them a real workout.”

Currently, trainers have access to the track once a week, and have to pay a $60 special access fee to use the track on a second day. The trainers claim it has been almost two years since they had consistent access two days a week. Curators assistant programs manager for Racing and Wagering WA Geoff Murphy has defended the club’s position of allowing access on a restricted basis.

“I have advised Albany Racing Club that it’s their call but I firmly believe it’s too hard to gallop twice a week,” he said.

Murphy said the same issue was arising in the metropolitan area.

“Last week we had 170 horses do track work up here, which is equivalent to two race meets and that fairly chopped the track up.”

Many from both camps agree Albany’s track is in its best condition in a decade, thanks to curator Max Bilston.

Bilston said although the track was in great shape, he doubted if two gallops a week was the answer.

“The track is in beautiful condition but two gallops a week is a luxury and is not warranted,” he said.

MP Peter Watson said he would look into the trainers’ request with Racing and Wagering Western Australia.

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