There has been more rain than sunshine since the Winx Stand joined the Randwick landscape in the past year, but it’s about to have its moment to shine as Everest day draws near.
The open rooftop allows sweeping views of the course at the 200m mark where races are won and lost, and it’s where the racing experience will start for the next generation.
The Winx Stand allows the general public sweeping views of Randwick.Credit:Paul McMillan
Only the mowers were at Randwick on Friday as the track was prepared for the Silver Eagle meeting, but the stand has people excited about what is to come.
“You look at that stand when you’re working and try to imagine what it’s going to be like next week,” ATC racecourse manager Michael Wood said. “It has been there for a while but because of everything that has been going on, we haven’t seen it full yet, that’s going to be amazing.”
Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club joined forces to create the Winx Stand, which honours a modern racing legend and gives the public a centre for their raceday experience.
It has been used for the Dally M Awards and other functions, but a big raceday was what it was built for, with the project costing $46 million from the Randwick development fund.
“We had a fund for a project like this and because Winx was the public’s horse, we wanted it to be a public stand,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said.
“You only have to pay your admission to the track and you can use the Winx stand. It’s a world-class venue that gives a great view of the racing.
“This is what some people’s first experience of racing is going to be, I remember when I first went to the races I was in the public area, but it was nothing like this.
“There is everything you need for a day at the races in this stand, other than a couple of winners, and it will be seen in all its glory on Everest day.”
It was remarkable Wood was able to get out and take a couple of millimetres off the grass on Friday as the track improved with a sunny morning.
“It’s going to be heavy tomorrow, but it will depend on the rain we get in the next 24 hours to if we can get an upgrade,” Wood said. “The track is in good condition and even with all the rain there was no squelch to it, so we were able to mow and get a bit of air into the profile. The forecast is good for early next week, which is promising.”
Racing NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel inspected Randwick on Friday morning and ticked it off as a safe racing surface.
“Given the rain we have had the track is a credit to the staff out there, and it’s in as good condition as you could hope for,” Van Gestel said. “The rail being out eight metres takes us away from the wear and tear of the last couple of meetings.”
