Racecourse Track Manager - Career Advice - Office and Administration

The Racecourse Track Manager has to oversee the weekly race meetings and multiple trial sessions providing industry participants and local community with quality racing facilities.
The Racecourse Track Manager plays an integral role in the development and efficient running of the club. A Racecourse Track Manager is responsible for the management of the race track to make sure it provides a safe and fair surface for racing, Public and Members Race day experience, hospitality, events and functions. FutureGrowthModerate

The Racecourse Track Manager is really the one in charge of making certain the racecourse is kept up to standard. This includes the track itself, the facilities, venue presentation and even the budgeting for maintenance, upkeep and running of the race track on a day to day basis. This position requires some business understanding to ensure organised and profitable outcomes occur for the club, sound organisational skills, ability to manage multiple tasks at times and able to communicate across all levels.

The Racecourse Track Manager is responsible for the presentation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the racing [Horses (Thoroghbred - Group 1, 2 & 3; Harness, Jumping) & Greyhounds] and trialling surface, facilities, and surrounds. The role is to provide a safe, attractive environment for all stakeholders, race day patrons and visitors. The presentation and reputation of the track and facilities has an impact on race numbers, field size and wagering turnover so it is a crucial role within the racing fraternity.

Possibly one of the most challenging roles in Australian thoroughbred racing is that of the race track manager at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse. The biggest and grandest race on Australia’s calendar takes place there on the first Tuesday every November, and the track manager has to ensure a great racing surface for the Melbourne Cup horses, along with ultra impressive venue presentation on the day.

Mick Riley - VRC Flemington Track Manager | Melbourne Cup Carnival | Channel 10
https://youtu.be/icLxjaw8fOw?si=NGStZwC75OvdNg5T

ANZSCO ID: 452318

Alternative names: Racecourse Manager, Racecourse Track Supervisor, Track Manager, Race Track Manager,

Specialisations: Country Racecourses, Greyhound Racing Tracks, Harness Racing,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A Racecourse Manager will not only need practical skills but will also need to be certified in First Aid, as well as having strong computer and communication skills.

Current Drivers Licence and a Medium rigid vehicle licence or ability to obtain one
Practical experience in a commercial/industrial maintenance environment
Experience maintaining race tracks
Working knowledge of basics in electrical, mechanical, carpentry, plumbing, welding and/or associated trades.
Experience managing third party contractors and consultants
Demonstrable understanding of safety, health and environment best practice
Experience/knowledge in racing
Ability to operate a tractor and medium rigid vehicle
Base level computer skills
Responsiveness
Ability to Multi-task
Integrity
Self Motivated
Impartiality
Lateral Thinker
Accountability
Respect
Leadership

Cox Plate
(Source: Racing World Wide)

Duties and Tasks

The racecourse manager of any race track in the country is basically running the facility with the help of their key staff. The Racecourse Manager is responsible for ongoing maintenance and continuous improvement of the physical condition of the racecourse tracks and associated facilities so as to provide at all times a safe and attractive high quality venue for all stakeholders and patrons of the Course.

Just like a manager in any business, the role basically takes on full responsibility for the smooth running of the business. Therefore, a racecourse manager oversees everything that’s happening on the racecourse, both on race days and during times when there is no racing taking place.

Let’s list a few key responsibilities of racecourse managers for easy reference:

Oversee the development and implementation of track and racing and training facility management plans and practices for the Racecourse
Implement industry standards for the preparation of training and racing tracks and facilities
Effectively communicate with Racecourse users, staff and stakeholders and ensuring all racecourse staff are effectively managed
Demonstrate commitment to Health Safety & Wellbeing, Ethical Behavior, Efficiency, Participation and Service of Stakeholders.
Investigate options for continual improvement of environmental practices.Take care of the racing surface (an understanding of turf management)
Prepare the track surface for race days
Manage staff and delegate appropriate duties
Devise effective budgeting strategies to keep the racecourse in top shape whilst still performing all maintenance within budget
Communicating with staff and contractors for repairs and upkeep of the facilities
Keeping records of everything, especially budgeting accounts
Manage all suppliers, whether it be turf and general upkeep, food, beverages and other supplies
Be a good problem solver and multi-tasker
Ensure all occupational health and safety requirements are met and adhered to

Key Actions and Activities

Racecourse Maintenance

Provide expertise in the maintenance of quality turf & artificial surfaces for the purpose of racing & training
To prepare an optimum racing surface for the attraction of the best possible class of horses to all race meetings
To ensure that the grounds and gardens are well maintained
To ensure that all associated plant and equipment are well maintained and in the best possible condition to achieve optimum performance
To ensure that any necessary repairs and maintenance of racecourse infrastructure are attended to or reported to the Chief Executive Officer or Asset & Maintenance Supervisor for action so that they are maintained in good condition at all times
Assist with the development and implementation of capital works projects within the
Racecourse Grounds relating to tracks and racing and training facilities
Assist in the development of annual budgets and management plans to facilitate the maintenance, production, construction & preparation of all racing and training tracks and facilities to the required levels agreed with CEO and Board
Develop and manage an annual racecourse maintenance plan detailing programs for track watering, fertilizing, mowing and gardens
Liaise with Stewards in regard to track monitoring and performance
Ensure all horse infrastructure including parade ring and horse stalls are professionally presented at all times and in accordance with Racing minimum standards
Monitoring of compliance by trainers, riders and stable hands with the Rules and Regulations of the Industry and the Race Club
Develop monthly track management reports for the CEO and make a presentation to the Board as required
Ensure that all duties as outlined are performed with respect to safe working practices in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.

General

Lead staff and effectively supervise and communicate the management and preparation of quality turf & artificial surfaces for the purpose of racing & training
Ensure staff receives appropriate training, induction and supervision to enable them to complete tasks safely and efficiently and to the required standard
Recruit staff as required and in accordance with standard employment policies
Oversee the engagement of Official Starter and Barrier Attendants at all HRC Racedays and Barrier Trials and jumpouts
• To conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times.
• Other general duties as could be reasonably expected in this role.
3. Knowledge and Skills Required (To effectively perform in the role the position holder must have
the following skills, experience, qualifications)
• Minimum 5 years of senior Racecourse Management experience.
• Turf Management qualifications (Trade Qualifications minimum).
• A thorough knowledge of race day & training track maintenance & preparation procedures.
• Ability to implement effective work systems to agreed quality standards and within operational and
budgetary constraints
• Good understanding of the requirements and practical applications of Occupational Health and Safety
legislation and codes.
• Ability to work independently and be self motivated.
• Ability to operate required machinery including turf maintenance equipment.
• Ability to attend to general maintenance of buildings, facilities and surrounds.
• Have ability to deal with any conflict that may arise and make autonomous decisions if required.
• Experience in developing and implementing track maintenance programs.
• Ability to communicate with a wide variety of people.

Working conditions

The role, if full time, has a minimum 38-hour week and requires attendance at race days including some weekend work. Depending on the racecourse and where it is located, many track managers only work on a part-time basis, maybe up to 30 hours per week.

The Racecourse Track Manager is responsible for total oversight and management of existing track staff and infrastructure together with ensuring a safe and consistent environment for all animals irrespective of whether for trials or racing, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Working Relationships

Reports to
Chief Executive Officer

Most Frequent Contacts
• Chief Executive Officer (Internal)
• HRC Track & Grounds Staff (Internal)
• Racing Stewards and officials (External)
• Trainers, Strappers [Groomers] & Jockeys (External)
• Contactors & Suppliers (External)

Tools and Technologies

Did You Know?

Track conditions

Track Conditions or Track Ratings relate to the condition of the racetrack and how it will be felt underhoof by the horses. Synthetic surfaces are treated as distinct from turf tracks; they show up in form guides as Synthetic.

Turf tracks in Australia are generally prepared to a Good track rating, weather permitting. This is considered the optimum surface to race on, providing the safest and fairest racing conditions for the majority of competitors.

How is the track rating measured?

Track readings are taken using a penetrometer, an instrument designed to gauge the amount of give in a race track. These readings are taken from a variety of positions around the track.

Racecourse track manager testing

Flemington Racecourse's Track Manager, Mick Goodie, putting the penetrometer to work (2014)

Track upgrades & downgrades

Track surfaces are subject to upgrades and downgrades depending on the prevailing weather conditions. Tracks are monitored throughout the day and if the track improves or deteriorates the stewards will sound a siren to notify on-course punters of the change in track conditions. Broadcasters and betting agencies will also notify punters of any change to the track rating as soon as they are made aware of it (usually right away). Race-callers will also announce any changes to the track rating prior to the running of the next race.

Australian Track Rating System (as of 1 December 2014)

Rating	Numerical	Description of numerical rating
Firm	1	Dry hard track
Firm	2	Firm track
Good	3	Track with good grass coverage and cushion
Good	4	Track with some give in it
Soft	5	Track with reasonable amount of give in it
Soft	6	Moist but not badly affected
Soft	7	More rain-affected track that will chop out
Heavy	8	Rain affected track that horses will get into
Heavy	9	Wet track getting into a squelchy area
Heavy	10	Heaviest category track, very wet, towards saturation
Synthetic	-	Synthetic tracks are effectively all-weather tracks, allowing for racing in all conditions