Racing Projects

Sports Design Group was engaged to provide specialist design and project support for the Ballarat Undercover Uphill Training Track, a unique racing facility developed to provide thoroughbred horses with a controlled, all-weather training environment.

The project incorporated a purpose-built uphill training track beneath an extensive undercover structure, providing trainers with the ability to continue operations in challenging weather conditions while improving the consistency and usability of the training facility.

A defining feature of the project was the construction of the world's longest shed, creating an exceptional engineering and construction challenge and a landmark facility within the Victorian racing industry.

The undercover track was designed to integrate the racing surface, track geometry, drainage and associated infrastructure within the extensive building footprint. The project required careful coordination between the racing requirements and the structural, civil and operational elements of the facility.

The Ballarat Undercover Uphill Training Track demonstrates Sports Design Group's capability to work on complex and innovative racing infrastructure, delivering specialist solutions that combine racing performance, operational requirements and long-term facility functionality.

The project represents a significant investment in the future of thoroughbred training and provides Ballarat with a unique, all-weather training facility unlike conventional racing infrastructure.

 Sports Design Group was engaged by Racing Victoria Limited to undertake the design, specification and detailed documentation for upgrades to the pre-parade ring and raceday stalls.

A key component of the project was the upgrade of the existing drainage infrastructure, addressing ongoing flooding issues that had regularly impacted the area and its operation during race days.

The design focused on improving site drainage and surface water management to provide a more reliable and functional environment for horses, trainers, jockeys, officials and spectators, particularly during periods of significant rainfall.

SDG provided specialist racing facility design expertise from investigation through to detailed documentation, developing practical solutions to improve the long-term performance and resilience of the facility.

 Sports Design Group was engaged by the Cranbourne Turf Club and Cranbourne Harness Club to provide Project Management and Contract Administration services for the construction of the new raceday stalls.

SDG provided ongoing project support throughout the construction phase, including contract administration, weekly site meetings and regular construction inspections to monitor progress, quality and compliance with the project documentation.

The project required close coordination between the Clubs, contractor and project stakeholders to ensure the works were delivered efficiently and in accordance with the approved design and construction requirements.

Sports Design Group's hands-on approach provided the Clubs with specialist project management expertise throughout construction, helping to manage project issues, coordinate stakeholders and support the successful delivery of the new raceday stall facilities.

Sports Design Group was engaged by Racing Victoria Limited to undertake the design, specification and detailed documentation for the upgrade of a new grass training track.

The project involved upgrading the training track to 16m wide, providing an improved and more functional training surface for the racing industry.

The works included the installation of a new 250mm growing medium, high-quality turf surface, comprehensive subsoil drainage system and new irrigation infrastructure to support turf establishment and ongoing track performance.

The design was developed to provide a durable, well-drained and consistently maintained grass training surface, with consideration given to the operational requirements of the racing club and the long-term performance of the facility.

Sports Design Group was engaged by Racing Victoria Limited to undertake the design, specification and detailed documentation for the reconstruction of the Kyneton sand training track.

Following the October 2022 floods across Victoria, the existing sand training track at Kyneton sustained significant damage, requiring reconstruction to restore the facility and improve its long-term performance and resilience.

The project involved the full reconstruction of the training track from the existing base through to the finished sand surface. As part of the reconstruction, the club took the opportunity to improve the facility by widening the track from 6m to 8m, providing increased training capacity and improved functionality for the racing community.

Sports Design Group provided specialist racing track design expertise throughout the project, developing practical solutions to address the flood damage while delivering an upgraded training facility suited to the club's ongoing operational requirements.

Sports Design Group were engaged by Racing Victoria Limited to complete the design, specification and documentation for the Course Proper. 

With the extra demand for training and jump

outs on Grass Tracks, the Burrumbeet Race Club in conjunction with Racing Victoria have

decided to upgrade the Course Proper.

The project involved regrading the track due to the irregular camber, that previously impacted the usability of the track. The track has been re-cambered to oneway crossfall. 

Sports Design Group was engaged by Racing Victoria Limited to undertake the design and detailed documentation for the new Warm-Up Track at Pakenham.

The project involved the development of an approximately 600m long x 8m wide sand training track, incorporating a new 80mm deep sand profile over a 150mm Class 2 crushed rock base. The track was designed to provide a consistent, durable and fit-for-purpose surface to support the ongoing training requirements of the racing industry.

The project also included the design and integration of a new trainers' tower, corral area and running rails, providing improved functionality, safety and operational efficiency for trainers, riders and racing staff.

Sports Design Group provided specialist racing facility design expertise throughout the project, coordinating the track construction requirements with the associated infrastructure to deliver a cohesive and practical training facility.

Sports Design Group were engaged by Racing Victoria Limited to complete the design, specification and documentation for the Course Proper regarding. 

The existing Course Proper had an off camber along the home straight and into the back turn that caused horses running to the outside along the home straight.

The course proper was regraded with a one way camber to ensure a more consistent racing. The mounting yard was also upgraded in the process to ensure smooth transition from the mounting yard to the track.

Sports Design Group were engaged by Racing Victoria Limited to complete the design, specification and documentation for the new training tracks at the Geelong Racecourse. 

With the extra demand for training on Grass Tracks, the Geelong Turf Club have decided the switch around the training tracks and create a new turf track and fibre sand track within the old synthetic track.

The project involved removing the old synthetic track on the outside of the track and placing the material in the infield. From there the old fibre track was removed and re-placed on the outside of the track.

A new 250mm growing medium was imported and turf laid for the new training track.