Newcastle may be next All-Weather track A floodlit all-weather track at Newcastle is a possibility after a wide-ranging consultation process was announced by owners Arena Racing Company (ARC) to consider development at the North East of England venue. ARC said it hoped a planning application for the scheme can be lodged by January 31, 2014 and if successful racing on the new surface would commence in 2015. The current proposals are based around replacing the existing turf Flat track with an all-weather surface that would incorporate the only floodlit straight mile in the world. The existing turf jumps track would be unaffected, although the Flat race programme, if run on the all-weather, would increase the scope for an additional number of jumps fixtures to be staged. The development would still leave the track with an option to host its principal race, the John Smith's Northumberland Plate, on a turf surface. David Williamson, executive director at Newcastle, said: "We are very excited by these proposals. "We want to explain the benefits to the local community and Newcastle racecourse's many supporters. "We believe that should these plans proceed then they will enhance Newcastle racecourse as one of the pre-eminent racing and events venue in the UK." The proposals would also see investment made at the track including a general upgrading of facilities and a new layout of the pre-parade and saddling facilities. This announcement coincides with the start of a consultation period with local residents, businesses and stakeholders in and around the High Gosforth area. The track will be hosting a number of meetings where the proposals will be discussed and explained. Tony Kelly, managing director at ARC, said: "The development of an all-weather track in the north has long been an ambition of ours and this proposal would develop the best floodlit all-weather track in the world given the superb wide galloping track and our ability to incorporate a floodlit straight mile. "We have recently launched the ARC all-weather championship and that is an initial but very significant step in the move to improve the competitiveness and attractiveness of this important area of the sport. The increase in support and quality we have seen so far is extremely encouraging. "This track would fit superbly within the ARC all-weather championship and would give us the ability to possibly share finals day with Lingfield Park. "We hope to lodge a planning application in early 2014 once we have completed our consultation exercise." In addition, the ARC executive said it will be consulting widely with interested stakeholders within British racing, including the British Horseracing Authority with which ARC has had a number of initial discussions. Richard Fahey, who has been the leading trainer at Newcastle over the last few years, said: "We are desperately in need of an all-weather track up north. "I hoped one of the tracks nearer to Malton might have wanted to do it, but fair play to Newcastle. "Southwell has the best layout of the current tracks but the worst surface, some horses just don't act there. "There's talk of Wolverhampton being resurfaced and the other two tracks, Kempton and Lingfield, are too far away from us. "I find James Armstrong one of the best clerks in the country and he does a great job up there, but the last couple of years they haven't been helped by the weather. "We need it, there's no doubt about that, and I hope they get the layout right with a good, long straight. "I know Musselburgh were keen for an all-weather but that's too far from us as well. "Newcastle's location isn't ideal for us but I'm all for it, we'll definitely support it. "I'd be amazed it they didn't get permission." Armstrong said: "Given the increase in adverse weather in recent years, an all-weather track would mean we can stage some meetings we might otherwise have lost. "It would be a unique course, and would certainly be different from the standard sharp tracks we have now. "We'd have the option of staging one-mile straight races which would be a big benefit but, at this stage, it is all a long way off. "The jumps track would remain as it is and would in fact benefit as it wouldn't be having horses canter down on it all summer. "The surface we might use has still to be debated but Polytrack would be preferred at his stage. "All those details would need a great amount of discussion."
