Big Day Out crowd warning

INCREASED security and surveillance will combat any repeat of last year's break-in during the Big Day Out at Flemington Racecourse. 

Horses were let out of Mark Kavanagh's stables last year after The Big Day Out concert. Picture: Rob Baird

SECURITY and surveillance at Flemington Racecourse will be increased during Wednesday's Big Day Out concert to combat a repeat of last year's break-in at the stables.

Trainers have been assured by Victoria Racing Club that stringent measures will operate throughout Wednesday to prevent unauthorised access to the stabling area.

Last year, intruders broke into stables and caused untold damage to Mark Kavanagh's complex when 25 fillies and mares were released from their boxes.

Mr Kavanagh took legal action against the VRC and the matter is still proceeding.

"What happened last year will not happen this year, I can assure you of that," said club chief executive Dale Monteith.

"If I wasn't confident the event would not be happening. The (VRC) board would not allow it," he said.

Mr Monteith said the club's risk management team had worked closely with trainers and concert organisers to ensure security was heightened around the stable precinct.

Mr Monteith said concerts held before last year's Australia Day event had been run without incident.

He said he believed "someone (last year) was determined to get into the stabling area". 

The VRC has offered to have security staff placed inside stables and to provide the club's risk management chief with a hotline telephone number.