It's been more than 50 years since barrier stalls replaced the strand start - one of the original methods of starting a horse race - in Australia, but Pakenham Racing Club has welcomed their return.

It hosted seven strand-start hurdles trials last Tuesday with 49 horses competing in seven events.

Local trainer John Leek said the strand starts were well received.

"[It was a] raging success, nothing fell, nothing looked like falling. Everybody is happy, we're well aware changes have to be made to keep the industry alive."

Racing Victoria hopes the method will curb tragic raceday falls.

Racing Victoria senior stipendiary steward and chairman of jumps review panel, Mark Hill, believes the strand would help slow horses down at the beginning [of a race] and reduce fatigue towards the end [when most accidents occur].

"No doubt they go slower [from a strand start] in the first 30-40 metres than what they do out of barriers.

"A lot of horses only know to go quick - to a large degree control is the rider's responsibility and we expect riders to restrain horses and ride them accordingly."