Flying start for local trainers

Date: 13-Feb-2024

IPSWICH trainers have enjoyed a flying start to 2024, as the benefits of the new and improved training facilities at the course start to show out in results on race day.

Local trainers Trevor Lambourn, Brad Smith, John Hubbard, Tony Sheehan and Beau Gorman have led in recent winners, along with Rebecca Mollica, who had her very first winner as a trainer when Back ‘Em Black won at 100/1 at the track in December.

The Ipswich Turf Club has long wanted to improve the facilities for its trainers and with plans to have more horses stabled at the course, there was a need to upgrade the training tracks for existing trainers and to accommodate and attract more horses in the future.

With the backing of Racing Queensland, the club has been able to take the first steps in achieving those goals by implementing a sand fibre track and also making significant improvements to the B-Grass training track.

“It was clear that our training facilities did need some attention and we appreciate the investment Racing Queensland has made in our training tracks,” ITC Chief Executive Tim Dunn said.

“The new sand fibre has been an outstanding addition for the club and we have received nothing but rave reviews from everyone who has both used and inspected it. There’s no doubt this new and improved sand fibre track is contributing to better results for our trainers.

“Additionally, the investment made by Racing Queensland has enabled our tracks team to have the B-Grass training track back in great condition.”

The ITC has acquired land adjacent to the track and long term there is the potential for more than 100 stables to be built at the venue.

“It’s no secret that boxes are in rare supply in south-east Queensland and as the industry continues to flourish, we believe Ipswich can play a vital role in easing the congestion for boxes in this part of the state,” Dunn said.

“But we also understand some are cautious about making the move to Ipswich because they fear they might not achieve the results they can at other venues.

“So we have needed to make improvements and with the support of RQ, we believe we are on the right track. That’s why it’s been terrific to see so many local trainers amongst the winners in the past couple of months.

“Ipswich is the perfect central location to so many of our tracks in the south-east and the club is looking forward to seeing many new trainers join the ranks here in the next few years.”

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