Disastrous future faced by Perth racing industry

Any move by Perth Racing to sell Ascot Racecourse would be detrimental to Perth’s racing community, the suburb’s property market, and Perth’s ability to host significant racing events such as the Melbourne Cup and Perth Cup, according to Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons.

“Forcing Perth to only have one racecourse would put our industry behind every other major city that has recognised that this is not sustainable for a year-round sport which requires regular track maintenance,” Mr Irons said.

“Racing in Perth has already faced drainage issues and closures at both Ascot and Belmont, so for Mr Rigg and Mr Van Heemst to claim that two racetracks at one location will suffice is completely at odds with industry views.

“The racing community and patrons who have visited both venues would agree that Ascot Racecourse is in much better condition than Belmont, and although infrastructure developments do need to take place at both venues, selling Perth’s traditional racing ground is not the answer.

“Perth Racing could also potentially waste millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades to Ascot, including a new synthetic track and maintenance to stalls, should their plan to sell go ahead.”

Mr Irons said he had spoken with members of Ascot’s racing community who were staggered that Perth Racing had made these claims without first consulting trainers, jockeys or stakeholders.

“This is a slap in the face to every member of Western Australia’s racing community and its patrons, particularly when it was only last week that Perth Racing attended the Western Australian Racehorse Owners Association awards night and made no mention of their intention to sell this historical asset,” Mr Irons said.

“The sale of this iconic racing site would quite simply be a disaster for industry and for local jobs, and I will be joining with my Federal and State colleagues who share this view to try to prevent this.”