RENOVATIONS worth $200,000 at Hanging Rock racecourse will ensure the races will not be cancelled for a third consecutive year.
In 2011, the Australia Day race meet was cancelled after kangaroos trampled the race track.Earlier this year, the New Year's Day meet was also called off.
Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club manager Mark Graham said after the cavity appeared during the first race, investigation into the cause was undertaken.
"We had no choice but to abandon the entire race meet. . . It cost about $120,000 in lost revenue,'' Mr Graham said.
"Future investigations showed the joints in on of the drainage systems failed.''
Mr Graham said that once the fault had been identified, renovations to the drainage systems began, with a decision made to have each of the joints replaced, costing more than $220,000.
Over the 12 months, renovations to the track's surface were also undertaken.
In November, both track gallops and jump outs were trialled on the track.
"We all had a meeting and agreed it was a good racing surface,'' Mr Graham said.
Official trials were held on the track yesterdaywhich saw 53 horses test out the track's surface.
Mr Graham said this has proven Hanging Rock fit for the annual race meet and assures race-goers, the track is ready for use on January 1.
The upcoming race meet is expected to draw in a crowd of more than 5000 people.
