Courtesy The West Australian website:

Stakes totalling more than $7 million will be paid at the Belmont Park season which opens on Saturday and stewards are confident a track upgrade can further boost the course's reputation.

Contractors have reconstructed a section of track which often became heavy after rain and the work should ensure Belmont continues to be recognised as Australia's best all-weather racecourse.

"Portions of track between the 1600m and 1400m posts have sometimes deteriorated in recent winters," chief steward John Zucal said yesterday. "That part of the course was ripped up and had better drainage installed after Belmont racing closed last spring.

"The reconstructed area has consolidated well and Belmont's entire track will now be in top order for Saturday's re-opening."

WA Turf Club track and maintenance manager Geoff Murphy said yesterday that Belmont, to host 45 race days in the next five months, should not be hit by meeting postponements or cancellations.

"The Belmont racing surface was elevated 28 years ago and became a high standard track for wet weather conditions," Murphy said. "It has generally needed only relatively minor maintenance work.

"In contrast, a number of city race clubs in the eastern States have been forced to spend millions of dollars to clear drainage problems on their courses."

Feature events at Belmont this season will include the $75,000 Western Meat Packers Roma Cup (1200m) on May 31, the $60,000 Belmont Sprint (1400m) two weeks later and the $50,000 Winter Cup (2400m) on July 5.

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