Sandown Racecourse
800 METERS FROM HOTEL
Sandown Racecourse is operated by the Melbourne Racing Club. From 1st January 2012, Sandown Racecourse became known as William Hill Park is the first Victorian racecourse to carry a sponsors name.
The Sandown Racecourse also has a motor racing track on the outside of the racecourse, known as Sandown Raceway.
The Sandown Racecourse had a major upgrade in 1999 and its premier race, the Sandown Cup, was reinvented as the Sandown Classic, with increased prize money and a change from handicap to weight-for-age conditions. A permanent Quarantine Centre at Sandown Racecourse was completed in 1997 and used to house visiting international horses.
Racing commenced at Sandown Racecourse in 1965 and was administered by the Victoria Amateur Turf Club (VATC) which also looked after racing at Caulfield. The Club started a five 5 year plan in 2001 to establish a second turf track at Sandown to be known as Hillside, and the existing track to be renamed Lakeside. The racecourse had an additional 30 metre wide home turn and the main straight widened to 45 metres from its original 30 metres, and the turn leading out of the straight widened from 30 metres to 45 metres.
As part of the plan the Club also changed from the VATC to become the Melbourne Racing Club.
The Lakeside Racecourse is positioned on the inside of the course. When the rail is in the true position and the track is rated good it is possible to lead all the way. The Hillside track generally exhibits little bias, but you often see horses coming from well behind on days when the rail is well out.
