Moonee Valley redevelopment going to plan, says chief Michael Browell

The Moonee Valley racecourse and grandstand is only months away from demolition as club boss Michael Browell gives an update on the $2bn project.

Moonee Valley Racing Club chief executive Michael Browell is confident the $2bn racecourse project remains on track and on budget.

Saturday’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes, the 100th edition of the 1200m sprint, is the ninth last meeting on the current Valley circuit.

The racecourse and grandstand will be demolished for redevelopment after the Cox Plate in October.

“The reality of it is (the shutdown) is on our doorstep,” Browell said.

“It’s been a long build up to this point, it doesn’t feel all that long ago, internally we marked 100 race meetings until closure and it’s got to this point pretty quickly.

“It’s exciting to see the development progressing like it is … everything is on track.

“There’s no issues at all with (financials), all the project distributions are on track, we’ll finalise the financing piece for the racecourse works over the coming weeks.

“Touchwood, it’s all progressing very smoothly at the moment.”

The club is close to locking in its transferred race meeting schedule for the 2026-27 season.

The William Reid Stakes next year is set to be held at Caulfield.

The Moonee Valley racecourse and grandstand will be demolished for redevelopment after this year’s Cox Plate. Picture: Racing Victoria

Southside Racing, predominantly Cranbourne, will get 11 transferred Valley meetings with Geelong to host four race cards.

Browell hopes to get the 2026 Cox Plate host approved by the Racing Victoria board next month.

A return to racing at The Valley is slated for August 2027 – 21 months after closure in October.

“We’re confident all we’ve seen so far, the program we’re planning can be achieved,” Browell said.

The Valley could host less than its scheduled 23 race meetings in the first season from August 2027 to give the new track “every chance to settle in” and then return to a full fixture in the second year.

Browell confirmed consultation has started on an MVRC organisational restructure.

“We’re working through what the workforce model will be through the closure period,” Browell said.

Originally published as Moonee Valley redevelopment going to plan, says chief Michael Browell