Cash on track

By Bridget Cook
CRANBOURNE Turf Club’s position as Australia’s premier training complex has been boosted by the announcement of $2.7 million in funding this week.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Racing Rob Hulls announced on Tuesday that Cranbourne would receive the State Government funding for a new synthetic training track, an on-site harness racing stabling and training complex and a playground.
Mr Hulls said the State Government would contribute $2.1 million to the 1700 metre synthetic training track for thoroughbred horses at the Cranbourne Training Complex.
Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria are also jointly contributing $900,000.
“Cranbourne is the largest thoroughbred training complex in the Southern Hemisphere, the workhorse of Victoria’s world-class racing industry, and the announcement will ensure it continues to develop as a country racing and training hotspot,” Mr Hulls said.
Racing Victoria chief operating officer Bernard Saundry said Cranbourne Training Complex would benefit immensely from the synthetic training track.
“With an average of 650 horses in training every morning at Cranbourne a synthetic training track will provide a first class surface capable of dealing with a heavy workload in all weather,” Mr Saundry said.
“I know this will put a smile on the faces of trainers at Cranbourne.”
The State Government will also contribute $604,570 towards the cost of Victoria’s first on-site harness racing stabling and training complex, with Harness Racing Victoria contributing the remaining funds for the $1 million project.
The harness racing complex will include accommodation for 57 horses, a new training track and eight horse walking machines.
Trainers will have the opportunity to stable their horses within walking distance of the training track, saving both time and money.
Cranbourne Harness Racing Club president Robert Blanche said the project will make an important contribution to maintaining and rebuilding harness racing participation in the south-eastern.
“The creation of a communal stabling and training complex will provide the catalyst for vital growth in the local industry, both in terms of numbers of trainers operating in the area and in the size of the local racehorse pool,” he said.
Subject to planning approval, construction at Cranbourne will start late 2010, with completion due for June 2011.
Funding for the two projects comes from the $86 million Regional Racing Infrastructure Fund – a partnership between the State Government and the racing industry.
Mr Hulls said the Government would also spend $25,950 to help build children’s play equipment at Cranbourne Turf Club. “This new equipment will encourage more families to enjoy a day out at the races,” Mr Hulls said.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera said the Cranbourne racing community was passionate about all racing codes – thoroughbreds, harness and greyhounds – and the racing centre was one of Victoria’s greatest country racing success stories.
“As the home of Australia’s premier training ground, Cranbourne deserves world-class infrastructure to accompany its world-class reputation, and this Brumby Labor Government funding will ensure Cranbourne’s ongoing success,” Mr Perera said.