There will be no meetings at Echuca Racing Club for a while as its track is relaid. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
If you’ve been driving past the Echuca Racing Club recently, you might have noticed a change.
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After the Melbourne Cup meeting, the club’s began some track alterations, with the turf set to be relayed.
“Over winter we started to notice the track wasn't quite as reliable and holding together as well as it has in the past,” racing club manager Jarratt Farley said.
“This full renovation hasn't been completed for 25 plus years.
“The track manager and I had a discussion, along with the industry, deciding now would be the perfect time to get it done.
“We're relied on quite heavily in this region to race over winter; trainers and horses want safe tracks, even during the wet months.”
A new surface will be put down on all 1800m of the track proper — plus starting chutes.
Farley described the process as “top making the track” — its industry term — whereby 30mm to 40mm is first shaved off the grass and topsoil.
Then the surface is top dressed, with low spots filled in and work done to ensure the soil profile is “spot on”.
The key part is the ryegrass being replaced by a new kikuyu turf — chosen because of its stronger root system and ability to hold soil better.
The process will take some time, meaning the club will skip its annual New Year’s meeting, which Farley admitted is “sad” given its huge success every year.
But the idea is short-term pain for long-term gain, ensuring the turf is in pristine condition for more regular use next winter.
The next meeting will be the 2027 Echuca Cup in March — the track staff providing general maintenance and hoping for sunny weather once the kikuyu is laid.
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