Club secretary Colin Holloway told The Courier that a deal had been struck with Racing Victoria to send out messages, advising trainers that the track is thoroughly watered and to encourage them to travel to the meeting.

The January 1 timeslot is a busy one in Victoria, with Flemington, Terang, Mornington, Hanging Rock, Murtoa, Merton and Pakenham also hosting races on the day.

Holloway said this meant the club had to do everything it could to attract the best fields possible.

“Clubs are competing for horses and we wanted to send that message out to trainers that we are certainly racing on an excellent surface at Burrumbeet,” Holloway said.

“They may very well think that once a year we haven’t got the facilities to irrigate, but that is not right.

“The club is doing everything in its power to alert trainers that the racing surface and our facilities – such as new horse stalls – are as good as any other track in the state.”

Holloway was part of a group of nine club committee members and volunteers that took part in a working bee at the track on Saturday between 7.30am and 1.30pm.

He said the lawn and track surface was “the best it’s ever looked” leading into the meeting, which is just over a week away.

Nominations for the seven-race card close at 12 noon on Thursday with acceptances released on Friday.

The meeting is headlined by the $15,000 Burrumbeet Cup, 1800m, won earlier this year by Damien Williams-trained Tube.

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au