For the benefit of those members not present, below is a summary of where the Club is at with respect to getting racing back to Werribee.

The Club has written to Racing Victoria Limited about the relocation of the quarantine facilities that are presently at Sandown / Betfair Park. That letter addresses the general principles upon which the Club would enter into an agreement with RVL to host the quarantine facilities. Any such facilities would be operated by RVL.

In December 2008, Patrick Wheelahan, Chris Byrne and David Horsburgh met with the Chief Operating Officer of RVL (Bernard Saundry), Scott Whiteman (CEO of Country Racing), Leigh Jordan (Director Racing Operations RVL) and Jamie McGuiness (2IC Country racing) to discuss the proposition that the quarantine facilities would be hosted by the Club.

Since the December meeting, persons authorized by RVL have attended the Club’s track in order to assess the logistics and suitability of the Club hosting quarantine facilities. To date, the Club has only informally received positive feedback about the prospects of hosting the quarantine facility.

Although the Club can financially continue to exist from the revenue generated by is Function Centre (which is thriving), the Club is committed to a return to racing as soon as is practicable. To return to racing, there still remains work to be undertaken to improve the track. If the quarantine centre is relocated to Werribee, it is anticipated that any track refurbishments will be undertaken at the cost of the industry (RVL and CRV).

As to the earlier proposal that the Club might host a trainer, such proposal was ultimately not feasible. Indeed, if the Club did have training facilities all year round for a significant number of horses, it would not be in a position to host the quarantine facilities.

The Club expects to receive a reply to its written proposal about hosting the quarantine facilities as soon as RVL have undertaken their investigations about the logistics of the proposal. The Club is hopeful of a positive outcome.

If the Quarantine facilities are established at Werribee, the Club will negotiate a new fixture of races – say 8 to 10 per year. It goes without saying, that when the Melbourne Cup contenders and other horses are in the quarantine facilities in Spring, the new and outstanding facilities of the Club will be of great benefit to the industry in enabling it to host its international friends.

In reply to what assistance the Government (State or Federal) has given or offered, to date, no financial assistance has been forthcoming.

The Club hopes that with the hosting of the quarantine centre, it will thrive and secure its independent financial security, host the best international horses in the world, and provide a very attractive racing fixture for the balance of the year to the community.