Pakenham Racing is club is set to benefit from the construction of a new training track, in a joint investment from the State Government and Racing Victoria.
Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines today announced more than $283,000 from the Labor Government’s Victorian Racing Industry Fund to build the new track.
Pakenham Racing Club will chip in almost $85,000 to the project, while Racing Victoria will contribute more than $198,000.
The new 600-metre stand-alone training track will be six metres wide and will provide trainers the opportunity to start light training activity, for slow work and trotting, and to take work off other training tracks at the club.
The project will help meet the increased demand for training facilities at Pakenham following the relocation of trainers and horses from Caulfield.
“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,” Mr Carbines said.
Pakenham MP Emma Vulin said the investment will ensure the racecourse continues to be a destination of choice for trainers, bringing more local jobs to the community.
The new training track will create 20 jobs during construction, with the track expected to be open for training in December.
Pakenham Racing Club chief executive Blair Odgers praised the joint investment into the industry.
“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.”
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 7000 jobs locally.
