track
information
The initial building of the Sunshine Coast Turf Club Corbould Park race track was completed in July 1985. It was the first major Queensland Racecourse built outside of the Brisbane metropolitan area for over 50 years.
From April 2008 the Sunshine Coast Turf Club is also the home of the first synthetic racing and training surface in Queensland.
The Cushion Track is the first of its kind in Australia and differs from the synthetic tracks currently in use in Victoria. The Cushion Track has been designed for Queensland conditions and in particular Corbould Park.
The Corbould Park Cushion Track has replaced the sand track. It consists of a formulated mixture of long and short synthetic fibres, rubber, silicon sand and wax. The materials used in the Cushion Track are new and not recycled. The advantage of using new materials allows the replication of the surface, and consistency in top up maintenance.
The track will have the necessary camber, but a feature of this surface is “vertical drainage” allowing the transfer of water rapidly through a herring bone pattern of 8km of pipes, that are installed horizontally.
THE CUSHION TRACK IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE THE GRASS TRACK BUT TO COMPLEMENT GRASS TRACK SUSTAINABILITY.
The benefits of synthetic surfaces include minimal irrigation, low maintenance costs, all weather surface in even the most inclement conditions, improved rider safety and the substantial reduction in soft tissue injuries in horses by virtue of a consistent sub-surface. The track will not fix old injuries but the consistent and softer surface will be a lot kinder on the legs of horse and rider.
Policy on transfer from the course proper to the cushion track (as per TAB Racing protocols).
In the event a decision is made to transfer a race meeting from the Course Proper to the Cushion Track it will occur no later than 6:30am on the morning of the meeting, this will allow RQL to review field sizes and advise stakeholders via SMS prior to normal scratching time.
The decision to transfer the meeting will be undertaken, if:
- Track rated Soft 6-7, if prior to 6:30am on race morning the predicted weather forecast is for continuing rain; or
- Track rated Heavy 8-9-10, if prior to 6:30am on race morning the predicted weather forecast is for continuing rain or RQL view that further rain may occur prior to the conclusion of the meeting.
- Scratching deadline will be delayed by 30 minutes to 8:00am.
It is Racing Queensland Limited’s preferred option to race on the Course Proper.