Donald Racecourse will install plastic running rails to increase safety for jockeys and horses as part of a $2.6 million statewide roll-out, Deputy Premier and Minister for Racing Rob Hulls announced today.
Mr Hulls said more than 2225 metres of new, lighter and safer rails would be installed at the Donald Racecourse later this year at a cost of $96,000.
“Racing has been a part of Donald’s landscape since the 1850s, when the town used the main street as its first racecourse,” Mr Hulls said. “Now, the town boasts a beautiful course on Racecourse Road, off the Burong Highway,” he said.
“Donald Racecourse will hold at least five races in each of the next four years and these new plastic rails will greatly reduce the risks associated with thoroughbred racing and contribute to the industry’s already high safety standards.”
Mr Hulls said Mordialloc plumber Dan Mawby, who invented the plastic rail system called MawSafe, had made a significant contribution to Victoria’s racing and manufacturing industries.
“These rails will significantly reduce safety risks for jockeys and horses, as they bend, flex and rise if a horse veers into the running rail and often redirects the horse back onto the course proper,” he said.
“Importantly, the plastic supports that replace steel posts are constructed so they snap out of their footings and rotate away from impact should a horse and jockey collide with them during a fall.
“Jockeys and horses are the lifeblood of racing and their wellbeing and safety is vital to the ongoing success of Victoria’s racing industry.”
The project cost of the statewide plastic running rail roll-out is being met from the $86 million Regional Racing Infrastructure Fund (RRIF), which is jointly funded by Government and the racing industry.
The Brumby Labor Government is contributing $86,400 to the Donald Racecourse running rails, with Racing Victoria Ltd (RVL) and Country Racing Victoria contributing $9600.
RVL chief executive Rob Hines said the invention of the plastic running rail had revolutionised the safety of both jockeys and horses.
“RVL is committed to protecting the welfare of riders and horses and the Mawsafe plastic running rail is the most significant step the industry has taken to improve safety in the past decade,” Mr Hines said.
“We witnessed the benefits of the Mawsafe plastic running rail in preventing serious injuries to riders and horses in a recent fall at Flemington which only affirmed our commitment to engage in an extensive rollout of this landmark technology.”