The Ballarat Cup is almost certain to be run over the longer distance of 2400 metres from next year.
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The switch of all turf races at Sportsbet-Ballarat to what is now known as the outer track after the transformation of the inner track to a synthetic surface will force the change from the traditional 2200m.
Ballarat Turf Club chief executive officer Lachlan McKenzie said while no formal decision had been made, 2400m would be put to Racing Victoria as the preferred option.
He said this would allow the Cup start to remain midway down the home straight and have the field race past the crowd twice, which was important in creating the best possible atmosphere.
McKenzie said the only other distance option was 2000m, but this would mean the start was located past the finish line – away from racegoers. He said that just would not work.
With the construction of the synthetic track to begin after this year’s Ballarat Cup Day in late November, 2018 will be the last Cup and race meeting run on the inner grass circuit.
McKenzie believes the longer Cup distance has the potential to attract a better quality field.
He said 2400m would be better suited to stayers, including internationals, which were still looking for a major spring scalp.
Racing Victoria announced on Thursday that an $8m all-weather racing and training synthetic track would constructed in Ballarat – replacing a synthetic surface in Geelong, which will be converted to turf.