Beetle Puts Bite On Flemington
- Thursday, 10 June 2010 20:15
Melbourne's Flemington racecourse is suffering from a beetle infestation that's damaging the track surface.
An infestation of the cockchafer beetle is eating the roots of the turf, making the surface loose in sections and causing horses to throw up large divots, the Herald Sun newspaper reported on Friday.
Victoria Racing Club chief executive Dale Monteith said the infestation would not affect the running of the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November.
But racecourse manager Mick Goodie said the track, which was reconstructed only in 2007, deteriorated badly after recent light rain, raising concerns from jockeys.
"You can just peel the grass off," he said.
Triple Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss said the track was "just going to pieces".
"The thing is that it's inconsistent. You go along and it's OK, then all of a sudden you just bottom out," he said.
"Mick (Goodie) recognises there is a problem - he's not putting his head in the sand."
Monteith said the track would be below it's best for a race meeting this Saturday but the surface issues were "a short-term problem".
"I am sure the spring carnival won't be affected," he said.
Picture: Sportpix
