Bumper Ballarat Meeting Moved To Geelong

WEDNESDAY night’s bumper Ballarat card highlighted by the $20,000 Listed Western Districts Derby has been transferred to the Geelong track.

Adam Dobbin08 February 2021

WEDNESDAY night's Ballarat card highlighted by the Listed Western Districts Derby has been moved to Geelong after a car crashed through the Ballarat kennel block on Tuesday morning.

The accident left the kennel block with significant damage both to the exterior and interior which forced Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) to transfer the meeting to Geelong late Tuesday.

The 12-race program also features the $15,000-to-the-winner Lil Dickie Oaks Final (450m) with some hugely talented young bitches set to line-up.

Earlier on Tuesday the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club (BGRC) issued the following statement, unable to provide clarity on when a return to racing might be possible.

“This morning a young driver heading down Rubicon St had a medical episode and crashed into the kennel block,” the statement read.

“Fortunately he escaped unscathed and was taken to hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

“The City of Ballarat Surveyor has inspected the kennels and he and the SES believe no structural damage has occurred to the kennels other than the smashed wall.

“We have engaged a structural Engineer to complete a structural assessment and list the required repairs. In the interim the SES have installed two poles to support the roof.

“Two kennel Bays have been badly damaged and will need replacing.

“We have been in regular contact with GRV and they expect to make an announcement regarding the Western Derby & Lil Dickie Oaks later today.

“Until repairs are ticked off all Ballarat races are likely to be moved to neighbouring tracks and it will require the BGRC to pick up additional trials.

“When the structural assessment is complete and the Insurance assessor has visited we can begin clean up and will be able to announce the timetable for repairs and an expected return to racing.”

The $20,000-to-the-winner Derby, now to be staged at Geelong over 460 metres, has brought together an all-star cast of sprinters, the eight finalists collectively responsible for 80 wins from 125 starts.