WANGARATTA Turf Club has ended a turbulent year with a major cost blowout in works undertaken at the venue.
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A $150,000 profit for 2018-19 has been offset by the revelation the infrastructure works including grandstand have exceeded $2.2 million received in capital grants this financial year and the $2.36 million in grants received in 2017-18.
The blowout in 2018-19 could be as high as $3 million, according to financial statements tabled at the annual meeting last night with the club in discussions with Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria to overcome the debt legacy.
Bill Carlisle was re-elected president and directors Neil Membrey, Colin Hough and Christine Haddrick returned unopposed.
In his president's report, Mr Carlisle said: "Unfortunately during the construction phase of the club's upgrade, project cost over-runs and unbudgeted for expenses have resulted in a debt overhang exceeding that which had been allowed for during the initial planning phase."
Long-serving chief executive Paul Hoysted resigned mid-year citing personal reasons.
They were conducting a review of the club's operations, but it's unclear if the review has been completed and what, if any, the findings were.
Racing Victoria confirmed the review was taking place.
Mr Dight couldn't be contacted for comment last night.
Meanwhile, former apprentice jockey Stephen Brown Junior, who sustained life-threatening injuries in a fall at a Wangaratta jump-out six weeks ago, has been transferred from Royal Melbourne Hospital to Epworth Hospital to be begin a long rehabilitation period.
He sustained head injuries, as well as fractured ribs, neck fractures and a punctured lung, in the fall in September.
His parents Stephen Senior and Elisha issued a statement thanking everyone for their care and concern:
"The last six weeks have been unbelievably challenging for Stephen," they said.
"But he's shown great courage and determination to get to the stage of being well enough for doctors to approve his transfer to Epworth.
"On Stephen's behalf and on behalf of all his family and friends, we would like to pass on our appreciation for all the kind messages of care and concern that we have received.
"We would also like to record our sincerest thanks to everyone involved in Stephen's care.
"The efforts of those on course at the time, the paramedics who managed his transfer, the ICU doctors and nurses at the Royal Melbourne were all simply extraordinary."