New Independent Track Assessment Procedure for Victoria

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Racing Victoria (RV) has announced that a new independent track assessment procedure will be introduced in two phases on a trial basis at all country TAB meetings with phase one commencing from May 1, 2012. This will support the recently introduced Track Management Program. The new procedure will provide further support to track managers by establishing a panel of experienced track assessors, including former jockeys, to provide advice. This will assist participants and punters knowledge of the preparation and condition of tracks throughout Victoria. Former jockey and experienced track walker Sam Hyland is the first appointment to the panel with further appointments to be made shortly. In the initial phase, Hyland will oversee the independent track assessment of the following 13 tracks -- Ballarat , Bendigo, Cranbourne, Geelong, Kilmore, Kyneton, Moe, Mornington, Pakenham, Sale, Seymour, Warrnambool and Werribee -- with the remainder being added with the introduction of phase two. Information gathered by the assessor will be reported to the public via social media platforms and key racing media outlets on how they believe the track will race and perform. “The recent issues with the preparation and condition of several of the country tracks in Victoria have highlights the need to work collaboratively with each of the clubs and their track managers to achieve more suitable outcomes,” RV chief operating officer Bernard Saundry said.