Australian Turf Club to introduce later trackwork times

Sydney trainers will have later trackwork start times from February next year in a bid to attract more people to the industry.

The Australian Turf Club announced on Wednesday it would be changing trackwork times at all three training centres from February 1 next year, with Randwick and Warwick Farm opening times to be pushed back one hour from 4am to 5am (AEST) and Rosehill back 45 minutes to 5.30am.

The later starts represent what the ATC has labelled “the most significant shift in trackwork times in the history of Sydney racing”.

ATC chairman Peter McGauran said the decision was made with the “input and support” of the NSW Trainers’ Association and Racing NSW and believes the new start times will help attract staff and be beneficial to the health of current industry workers.

“Starting trackwork times later will assist trainers and stables in attracting new workers, as well as retaining existing staff,” McGauran said.

“Crucially, it will also help to improve the work and life balance of trackwork riders, stable staff, ATC ground staff, trainers and all those associated with the often unrelenting routine of early morning trackwork.

“The new times factor in unique circumstances of each venue and seek to strike a balance between the requirements of trainers and all industry participants.”