DON’T judge the new-look Randwick prematurely.
DON’T judge the new-look Randwick prematurely.
That’s the view of Australian Turf Club CEO Darren Pearce after Randwick played host to a truly memorable ATC Derby and TJ Smith Stakes day witnessed by 23,188 people.
Randwick unveiled yesterday a preview of its new facilities for all patrons with the opening of the ground floor and Level 1 of the new grandstand as well as the Theatre Of The Horse.
“Anyone judging it is judging it prematurely,” Pearce said.
“We have tried to put the message out consistently that we are in preview mode. We literally only got hand over of Level 1 days before we had to deliver the event.
“All the arrangements in place are temporary. Judging it on what is there now is premature.
“The whole face of it will change when we get delivery of the upper three floors.”
Pearce said the ATC is looking to have everything fully operational on either George Main or Epsom Handicap day this spring.
He said the work from all involved had been phenomenal just to hold the meeting on Saturday.
“Just to get it open and functional and to run a successful race day was an enormous credit to my team,” Pearce said.
Pearce said it is still to be decided where the winning presentation is conducted - at the front of the grandstand or in The Theatre of The Horse.
He said there is walk off area at the front of the grandstand that can accommodate a presentation area.
“We weren’t sure which way was going to be the most valid. We wanted to try it like the (Royal) Ascot model.
“The majority of people are still giving us feedback they would like it out the front. We wanted to trial it.
“It’s an operational not a structural issue.”