Wolverhampton Racecourse to get new track amid safety fears

Arena Racing Company, owners of Dunstall Park, today announced plans for a replacement of the all-weather surface in the new year.

Top trainers, including John Gosden and Ron Harris, have been critical of the track and there have been claims that several horses have been hurt in recent weeks.

Work carried out to prevent the surface freezing into lumps in bitterly cold winter weather is said to have triggered the problem. Trainers say this has resulted in a dangerous track with a serious 'kickback' problem – when the track material flies up and hits the horses.

ARC insist there is no evidence to show an increase in injuries but a company statement read: "Since the on-going refurbishment work began in September there has been some concern and criticism from trainers about the condition of the surface.

"The refurbishment of the surface was neither a quick nor inexpensive fix, but was designed to alleviate the problems experienced in the cold weather last year.

"Safety is paramount and therefore every effort has been made to ensure a safe, raceable surface is achieved with as little kick-back as possible. At present there has been no increase in injuries on the refurbished surface in comparison to previous years.

"Despite there being no concern at present over the safety of the track, it is reaching the end of its useful life and in preparation for that ARC will commence a full tender process to prepare for the replacement of the surface in the new year."

Rugeley trainer Andrew Hollinshead, who has cut down the number of his runners at Wolverhampton because of his safety worries, said: "I really welcome this news. Although we've only had one horse injured there in recent months, it was a career-ending injury. I've been reluctant to run horses at Wolverhampton because of that reason."

The last track replacement at an all-weather course was at Lingfield in Surrey – also owned by ARC – in 2012 and cost £3m.