Perth Racing has elected to undertake a complete removal and replacement of the track near the 150m mark of the Belmont Park straight to prioritise the ongoing safety of both jockeys and horses.
The work, set to be conducted by Evergreen Turf Group, will take four to five days. However, given the winter conditions, Belmont Park will not host racing for at least four weeks post the turf replacement. This is to allow sufficient time for the turf to establish, with the earliest anticipated return to racing being late July.
It comes after the race meeting at Belmont Park on 24 May 2025 was abandoned due to concerns over the safety of the specific part of the track near the 150m mark.
Racing WA supports Perth Racing’s decision, acknowledging the welfare of jockeys and horses is paramount, and will confirm a revised schedule for the meetings originally programmed at Belmont Park early next week.
Findings guide Belmont Park decision
Perth Racing engaged independent experts Ground Science (Environmental Consultant), Living Turf (Agronomists) and Evergreen Turf Group (Sports Turf experts) following the 24 May 2025 track incident at Belmont Park.
Comprehensive testing of both the track surface and the underlying soil and sand layers was conducted. All testing is now complete, with the final report provided to Perth Racing and Racing WA.
The testing identified a localised issue with moisture imbalance in the sand layer beneath the turf at the 150m mark. This lower moisture content compromised the stability of the sand, increasing the likelihood of movement under the impact of a galloping horse’s hoof.
Informed by the findings – and following consultation with Ground Science, Racing WA Stewards, the WA Jockeys Association and the WA Racehorse Trainers Association – the decision to remove and replace the section at the 150m mark was made.
Thank you for your patience
Perth Racing and Racing WA extend thanks to all racing participants and racing followers for their patience and understanding.
The recent testing has directly informed the pathway forward, which aims to fully resolve the underlying issue and ensure a safe racing surface.
The action being taken is essential to ensure the long-term safety and integrity of the track for both horses and jockeys.
