RWWA Stewards conducted a pre‐season inspection of the Port Hedland Turf Club
earlier today. Following the last Port Hedland meeting, the Race Club was directed by
Stewards to address a number of important occupational health and safety matters
before the venue could be approved for racing in 2015.
Despite earlier advice from the Club that these matters had been addressed, Stewards
found at today’s inspection that very little work has been completed. Accordingly, the
venue is unable to be approved for racing and the opening meeting of the Port Hedland
season scheduled for Saturday 16 May 2015 is cancelled. RWWA will again inspect the
track ahead of the Club’s subsequent meeting on Sunday 31 May 2015.
An approach was made to Nor‐West Jockey (Roebourne) to conduct the meeting on 16
May, however the Club has advised it is unable to be ready to race by this date.
Roebourne will be requested to be available as a contingency in case Port Hedland is
still not available for their second scheduled meeting.
Manager Thoroughbred Racing David Hunter said “it is extremely disappointing that
the Port Hedland Turf Club has left Trainers and Owners who support their Club in this
position”.
“Both Stewards and myself had spoken to the Port Hedland Turf Club in recent months
and we were assured matters raised in the end of season report had been addressed.
Regrettably for our stakeholders, Stewards found today that this is not the case.”