The Hillside and Lakeside racing tracks at Sandown in Springvale, Victoria are under review following criticism from jockeys and trainers.
According to Paul Bloodworth, of Racing Victoria, the Melbourne Racing Club wants a break from racing at William Hill Park until the situation has been fully assessed by independent experts.
Scheduled racing meets at the venue have been temporarily transferred for a minimum period of five weeks, said Bloodworth.
He said this would allow recuperation time for the tracks and also provide time for the issue to be fully investigated by the club. This will include analysis and testing of the surface, which is to be carried out by agronomists.
Catalogue printing should resume in time for the first programmed race meeting on May 13 at the Lakeside track, and May 20 at the Hillside track.
Bloodworth said the latest criticism of the track was not expected, as it had been the focus of a $3.2m facelift late in 2013.
Jake Norton, of Melbourne Racing Club, said the transferral of a number of race meetings was merely to allow time to restore the track to top condition.
Jockey Chris Symons said safety was not the issue as the track had been deemed safe for all riders. He added that a better surface would help horses gain traction as they negotiated the turn.
