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by Australian Racecourse Managers Association Inc.
October 2007
RIRDC Publication No 07/159 RIRDC Project No AUR-1A
It is also anticipated that industry acceptance of the need for a system of national standards and benchmarks for monitoring, assessment and design will be accompanied by greater commitment by the controlling bodies to funding such developments and future research into issues that will emerge.
Background
A Racecourse R&D Workshop
in March 2001, convened by RIRDC, found that there was a range of opinions
and definitions of the requirements for optimum track design and maintenance
but no systematic collection and analysis of such data relative to safe
and consistent track, horse and rider performance. Since then, there has
been some related research work done but little progress has been made
towards a national approach for defining track standards, let alone monitoring
and recording methods. Some industry bodies have taken their own actions
along these lines and without some coordination of objectives, the risk
of duplication of effort and further disparity between States is likely
to continue. Over the last decade hundreds of thousands of dollars have
been misspent on ill-informed track renovations that have not lived up
to the promised expectations.
Establishment of a national, uniform monitoring and assessment system of the key factors affecting track surfaces is the essential first step in attempting to connect these variables with records of user performance and injury on a broad scale, consistent with knowledge gained in most “sportsturf” industries. This will translate to greater certainty and confidence by all stakeholders, an increased financial contribution to the general economy, improved community perception of the Thoroughbred racing industry, and gains to the environment, for example, from more effective water usage and less pollution.
The data will also pinpoint the priority areas for research into tracks and, with a co-ordinated national approach, will facilitate the direction of more industry funding to these key factors in the viability of the national racing industry.
Objectives
Methodology
The initial step in the
project was an industry workshop, held to review relevant current research
findings, work in progress, identification of measurements and information
required for optimum track management and assessment, and consideration
of priorities for standards, data analysis and research.
Workshop participants included representatives of national and State racing industry bodies, major Race Clubs, stewards, veterinarians, relevant researchers and representatives of ARMA. This initial workshop was held in July 2006, at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales.
This first workshop identified priorities for track standards and formed Working Groups to investigate means of application of standards throughout the industry and initiate trials at selected metropolitan and provincial racecourses in the latter part of 2006 and early in 2007.
Participants from the first workshop reviewed progress and results of the Working Groups’ activities in May, 2007, at a second industry workshop held at Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria.
Recommendations were made for adoption of certain standards, identification of further research and data analysis priorities, and investigation of mechanisms for ongoing racing industry funding for such work. The ultimate objective was to develop a National Master Plan for Track Infrastructure.
Results
First Workshop
The 2006 Workshop covered
the following matters:
Final Workshop
At the second and final
workshop in May 2007, reports were received and discussed from the three
Working Groups:
Records and Maintenance
Current maintenance standards
were compared between States and it was evident that considerable knowledge
was already available but this needed to be pooled for ready access. Standardised
and more sophisticated measurement regimens were required to facilitate
record keeping and analysis of data for increased accuracy of track maintenance.
Ratings Rating scales, measurement tools and procedures, use and publicity of ratings and influence of varying surfaces and profiles were reviewed and it was apparent that more trial work is required to obtain satisfactory objective measuring procedures.
Infrastructure
Standards for design and
construction of various items of racecourse infrastructure were compiled
and guidelines developed for industry use. It is clear that racing bodies
need to pool their knowledge to develop national standards for these important
components of racecourses and training venues.
Other issues considered at this workshop included:
Recommendations
Records/Maintenance Working
Group
Ratings Working Group
Infrastructure Working
Group
National standards and guidelines
are needed for all infrastructure items based on such factors as:
A database is needed
for industry storage of and access to recommended standards.
Future Funding Options
Determine priorities and
amount of funding required for specific trial work as recommended plus
other activities needed for development of national standards and then
approach such organisations as RIRDC, ARB, TAB’s, etc, for funding assistance
for a defined research and development program.
Future Forum
An annual Workshop be held
of representatives involved in this project to consider reports from the
established Working Groups and that the Workshop make recommendations to
the National Chairman of Stewards Advisory Group from time to time. Sub-committees
of the Workshop and the Stewards may consider priorities for presentation
to the National Chairman of Stewards Advisory Group.
