By CASEY NEILL
A FIRE at Sandown Racecourse this morning will not affect this Saturday’s Guineas race day.
Melbourne Racing Club spokesman Jake Norton said the fire’s cause remained unclear but it broke out about 11.30am. About 50 people were evacuated from the track.
“It was thankfully isolated to an outdoor area that’s covered, in the grandstand, at the northern end of the grandstand,” Mr Norton said.
“It’s just an outdoor viewing deck.
“The fire was contained to that particular area. Thankfully it didn’t make its way indoors at all.”
Nine firetrucks and crews attended and the fire was out shortly after noon.
Mr Norton said the 20-metre by 10-metre area would be cordoned off during the Guineas, the final race of the Melbourne Racing Club spring racing carnival.
“It’s at the opposite end of the grandstand to the mounting yard and where the action takes place,” he said.
“It will have no impact on track preparation, either.”
Mr Norton said CFA investigators were on scene this afternoon to determine what caused the blaze.
“From my conversation with the police it looks as if it’s accidental,” he said.
