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Polytrack to build world-class synthetic track at Pakenham; Better barrier, better chance for Hawkspur; Lemaire excited about Caulfield Cup ride.

Polytrack to build world-class synthetic track at Pakenham

The Pakenham Racing Club (PRC), in conjunction with the Victorian Coalition Government, Racing Victoria (RV) and Country Racing Victoria (CRV), has today officially announced that Polytrack has won the tender for the Club’s new synthetic racing and training track.

Polytrack is a world renowned racing surface and is prominent at some of the leading racetracks around the world, including thoroughbred racing and training tracks in the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa.

The $9 million world class 2000m synthetic track to be built by Polytrack, will be the first racetrack of its type to built in Australia. More recently, Polytrack was installed at the Caulfield racecourse as a training track and it is receiving considerable praise from Industry participants.

Industry pays tribute to Caitlin Forrest

Racing Victoria (RV) Chief Executive, Bernard Saundry, has paid tribute to young South Australian jockey Caitlin Forrest who passed away in an Adelaide hospital overnight after sustaining injuries in a four-horse fall at Murray Bridge, SA, yesterday.

“On behalf of all racing participants and fans in Victoria, Racing Victoria extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Caitlin Forrest following her tragic passing overnight,” Mr Saundry said.

“Our thoughts are with Caitlin’s parents Yvonne and Darren, her partner Scott, and the wider South Australian racing community which is in deep mourning at the loss.

“Caitlin was a young lady pursuing a dream to ride and she was quickly forging a career in the racing industry. To lose her so young is a tragedy for all involved.”

Count gives OTI an early Cup

OTI Racing now has two hopes in the Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup, but it will have a cup to show for its effort this week regardless of how Lidari and Brambles go on Saturday thanks to the Moe heroics of Count Of Limonade.

The Mick Price-trained import carried the OTI colours to an upset win in Thursday’s $135,000 The WIN Network Moe Cup (2050m).

Better barrier, better chance for Hawkspur

Expect to see Hawkspur race in a much more prominent position in Saturday’s Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup than he did in 2013.

The Chris Waller-trained gelding was snagged back from barrier 14 in last year’s event, in which he started the $4.20 favourite, before storming home to finish seventh.

Lemaire excited about Caulfield Cup ride

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Christophe Lemaire highly rates the chances of Japanese stayer Bande in Saturday’s Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Despite not having taken a sit on the five-year-old entire, Frenchman Lemaire said he was confident in the ability of the son of Authorized, who is a well-backed $7-second favourite with TAB fixed odds.

Dandino to miss Caulfield Cup with injury

Last year’s Caulfield Cup runner-up, Dandino, will not start in Saturday’s $3 million Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup after pulling-up lame following track work on Thursday.

Paul Francis, travelling stable assistant for trainer Marco Botti, said the eight-year-old son of Dansili had pulled-up with a sore off-fore leg and would be sent for scans.

Draw a Big blow for McEvoy and Memory

Tony McEvoy said he was devastated when Big Memory drew barrier 20 in Saturday’s $3 million Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m).

The gelding secured his spot in the race with an impressive victory in last Saturday’s Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) and carries just 52kg under the handicap conditions.

Gris Caro out of Caulfield Cup

Trainer Jake Stephens has been forced to scratch Gris Caro from the Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup after the 6yo import was found to be lame in his off foreleg.

The South Australian horseman notified stewards of the issue on Thursday morning and vets didn’t hesitate to rule the former French stayer out of Saturday’s feature after inspecting the entire at Stephens’ Victor Harbor base.

Racing remembers 'bright, vibrant' Caitlin

Talented apprentice jockey Caitlin Forrest has been remembered as an ‘incredibly bright, vibrant and hard-working young woman’ after she succumbed to injuries sustained in a race fall at Murray Bridge.

Ms Forrest’s passing adds weight to the heavy heart surrounding the racing community, with two other jockey fatalities within 48 hours.