By DAVID NAGEL
RACING under lights will commence at Victoria’s newest racecourse, Pakenham Racing Club’s (PRC) Racing.com Park, in early 2016 following a $5 million funding boost from the State Government.
In a coup for the PRC and the wider Victorian thoroughbred racing industry, installation of a new $12 million track lighting system will commence by June, thanks to a joint investment from the government, Racing Victoria (RV), Country Racing Victoria (CRV) and the Pakenham club.
Up to 75 lighting masts ranging in height from 20 to 46 metres will be installed around Racing.com Park’s turf and synthetic tracks, with modern dimming technology between races providing energy savings of up to 30 per cent in comparison to existing night racing venues.
With RV today releasing its 2015/16 race dates, 16 Thursday night meetings – nine on turf, seven on synthetic – have been programmed at Racing.com Park next season from 21 January to 26 May.
It will be Victoria’s most active racecourse with 38 meetings programmed next season – 16 on turf and 22 on synthetic.
From the 2016/17 season, the new racecourse is expected to host up to 28 meetings under lights each year – increasing the total number of night meetings across the state to about 62.
CRV chief executive Scott Whiteman said the expansion of night racing to a second country racecourse would drive all-important wagering growth and be of benefit to all industry participants.
“Racing.com Park’s ability to host racing year-round on both turf and synthetic surfaces at a purpose built venue which also has access to the large horse population east of Melbourne means it was a natural choice for Victoria’s third night racing venue,” Whiteman said.
PRC chairman Don Duffy said the club was delighted with news of the funding.
“This decision is another vote of confidence from the racing industry and the Victorian Government in the new Pakenham Racecourse facility,” Duffy said.
“It is another important step in the club delivering its vision to be a major player in Victorian racing.”
