Finally, some good news has surfaced about the Allan Scott Glenburnie Racecourse following a successful trial last Friday.

For the first time since Tuesday, June 16 2020 horses graced the home of the Mount Gambier thoroughbred racing industry in an official capacity last week to put the much scrutinised track surface to the test.

More than 30 horses went racing in front of a small, but expectant crowd with all eyes on the green grass rather than the action on it.

The course has suffered multiple setbacks in the recent past including a failed multi-million dollar revamp, while racing was delayed yet again four months ago after it was deemed not suitable for racing.

However, after months of vitamin D, the Allan Scott Glenburnie Racecourse was looking a picture on Friday with jockeys comparing it to the famed Flemington.

Despite an early scare from the jockeys’ plane not arriving on time, which delayed proceedings by half an hour, six trials were completed and Allan Scott Glenburnie Racecourse track manager David Shepherdson said the make-or-break moment was ruled as nothing, but a huge success.

“It was just brilliant,” he said.

“Jockeys Kate Walters and Emily Finnegan were wrapt every time they came back in from a race, the stewards were very happy and they walked up the track and thought it was even right across.

“There were no rip outs with only a bit of scarring on Thatch grass which is great, so I could not be any happier with the feedback and things.”

Although last Friday was the first official trials held at Glenburnie since the track got revamped, horses have already galloped on the new surface which filled Shepherdson with plenty of confidence heading towards the big day.

But he still struggled to contain his excitement when the first group of horses did race past on Friday.

“After Kate rode it the first time we were anticipating it should be good, but when she galloped for the first time on Friday from the 900 and I could not hear here with nothing coming from the ground I just thought ‘oh my god yes’,” Shepherdson said.

“I got quite emotional and hugged (MGRC secretary) Naomi (Mitchell) from the office and when Kate got off the course I gave her a hug too because she said it was like Flemington.

“I got goosebumps when the horses went past.”

Given the state of affairs the track was in when Shepherdson took on the job back in 2020, to get the famous venue ready for racing again is a tremendous achievement.

The track manager said he could not compare the journey to anything else from his racing career, which started at Gawler where he witnessed a completely new track get built from the ground up, plus a stint at the old Mount Gambier track and Murray Bridge before returning to the Blue Lake city.

“It is definitely the biggest challenge I have ever had in my life on a race track,” Shepherdson said.

“When the Mount Gambier track failed, I thought ‘I need to come back here and help these guys out’ because I do not think anyone wanted to take it on.

“So I took it on and thought it just has to work.

“We started from scratch 12 months ago and it was slow getting all of the growth back and during the winter we were still playing with the Poa.

“The Poa was gradually going down and the Kikuyu was going to grow, but when we hit spring it was still too cold and there was supposed to be a race meeting in December and I thought the growth was not going to be there yet.

“But Racing SA was great giving us another nine or so weeks and by Christmas the track went mad, so we just needed those 30 degree days.”

Even when Shepherdson thought he had finally jumped through every hurdle, more curveballs outside of his control were thrown at him in a nervous lead into the trials.

“When the plane was delayed I thought ‘oh no, not another problem, you have to be kidding me’,” he said.

“Even last week’s fire out the back was concerning because I could see the smoke coming and started watering the back straight if something happened.

“I just wanted to get it over and done with.”

Shepherdson said the track would not have improved so much without the support he received from the Mount Gambier Racing Club.

“I just want to thank the committee, Brett (Watson) and my team because they had a lot of patience,” he said.

“They have all been brilliant and whenever we needed equipment or enhancements we got them.

“The support from everyone was great because they kept putting their hands up to help voluntarily.

“I have never worked with a committee that was willing to work so hard.”

After years of blood, sweat and tears, Shepherdson said the track was in perfect shape to host the long-awaited return of racing on Wednesday, February 23.

“It is all ready to go,” he said.

“Its been eating away at that Poa and now there is none in sight but we have to keep on top of it.

“The funny thing is after we race we have to cut it down a bit to get it ready for winter and the next stage.

“Everything works and the track is going great.”