Just four days after being credited with saving apprentice Brent Evans from serious injury at Flemington, the new plastic running rail will make its debut at Sandown on Wednesday.Leading apprentice Jason Maskiell who, along with jockey James Winks fell in Saturday's Veolia Environmental Services Handicap, said the Mawsafe plastic rail probably saved Evans from getting his leg sliced off.Evans' mount Cyclone Al was a victim of the chain reaction of interference from the fall and the apprentice's

Just four days after being credited with saving apprentice Brent Evans from serious injury at Flemington, the new plastic running rail will make its debut at Sandown on Wednesday.

Leading apprentice Jason Maskiell who, along with jockey James Winks fell in Saturday's Veolia Environmental Services Handicap, said the Mawsafe plastic rail probably saved Evans from getting his leg sliced off.

Evans' mount Cyclone Al was a victim of the chain reaction of interference from the fall and the apprentice's left leg was rubbed against the running rail for some 30 or 40 metres.

Five Victorian racetracks - Flemington, Sandown, Caulfield, Cranbourne and Warrnambool - are now operating with plastic running rails.

Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) says more than 60,000 metres of Mawsafe plastic rails will replace existing steel rails at a further 25 Victorian tracks over the next 12 months with Ballarat and Bendigo among the next venues to have them installed.

Designed by Mordialloc plumber Dan Mawby, the Mawsafe plastic running rail has already won acclaim as the Best Design for Workplace Safety at Victoria's 2009 WorkSafe Awards.

"The incident at Flemington on Saturday highlighted the benefits of the Mawsafe plastic running rail and affirms our commitment to engage in an extensive rollout of this landmark technology," RVL chief executive Rob Hines said.

"The Mawsafe plastic rail is more forgiving than its steel predecessor, yet still has the strength and flexibility to remain upright when struck by horses as we witnessed at Flemington.

"RVL is committed to protecting the welfare of riders and horses and the Mawsafe plastic rail is the most significant step the industry has taken to improve safety in the past decade.

"The Mawsafe plastic rail will be in operation at 39 meetings annually at Betfair Park (Sandown).

"We hope it won't be tested with any major incidents, but we are confident in its ability to provide the safest possible outcome for riders and horses if it is."