The Andrews Labor Government is working with Racing Victoria and the Pakenham Racing Club to further enhance the training facilities at Pakenham Racecourse.
Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines today announced more than $283,000 from the Labor Government’s Victorian Racing Industry Fund to support the construction of a new training track at the facility.
The Pakenham Racing Club will invest almost $85,000 and Racing Victoria will contribute more than $198,000 on the new track which is expected to be open for training this December.
The new 600-metre stand-alone training track will be six metres wide and will provide trainers the opportunity to conduct light training activity such as slow work and trotting, whilst taking work off other training tracks at the venue.
The project will help meet the increased demand for training facilities at Pakenham following the relocation of trainers and horses from Caulfield.
It will join the Rise Track – inclined turf and synthetic training tracks – and wetlands jog track as 2023 additions to the training facilities at Pakenham Racecourse.
Since December 2014, the Labor Government has invested more than $9.6 million through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund to support racing infrastructure projects and thoroughbred racing events at the Pakenham Racecourse.
The thoroughbred racing industry in outer Melbourne generates more than $863 million for the Victorian economy and supports over 7,000 jobs locally.
Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines, said: “Pakenham Racing Club is a valuable racing venue for the south-east — that’s why we are backing in these works to ensure the course continues to have world class facilities for the growing number of trainers and horses.”
Pakenham Racing Club Chief Executive Officer, Blair Odgers, said: “The new training trot track is a much-needed facility, and we thank the Victorian Government for continuing to support the club and the growth of the racing industry in Pakenham.”