Harness Racing Victoria chairman Ken Latta, City of Casey councillor Geoff Ablett,Minister for Racing Denis Napthine, South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich and City of Casey Mayor Sam Aziz at the announcement of $918,307 in funding for the construction of a unique communal stabling complex and two associated training tracks at the Cranbourne Harness Racing Training Centre. 74142Picture: Donna Oates
By Bridget Cook
CRANBOURNE is racing ahead as the state’s leading harness training area with the announcement for the construction of a unique stabling complex made yesterday (Wednesday).
Minister for Racing Denis Napthine announced $918,307 in funding for the construction of a unique communal stabling complex and two associated training tracks at the Cranbourne Harness Racing Training Centre.
The $1.575 million project, to be jointly funded by the Coalition Government, Harness Racing Victoria, the Cranbourne Harness Racing Club and the City of Casey, is set to be up and running by mid next year.
The first of its kind in the country, the 48-barn stabling complex will be a communal facility that will allow professional and hobby trainers to work side by side and stable their horses without incurring the expense of buying and developing their own stables.
The project will also help to retain and grow jobs in Cranbourne and surrounds as well as provide further direct economic benefits to the local economy.
Dr Napthine said since the project was initially announced in September last year, the Cranbourne Harness Racing Club had identified a much larger, more practical and safer six-acre site within the Cranbourne Training Complex.
“By removing the need to cross any public roads, the improved and expanded project we are announcing today will be a better and safer resource for the harness industry,” he said.
Cranbourne Harness Racing Club chief executive David Scott said the new sand tracks would be a boost for trainers.
“This development will provide a means by which our club can build and maintain a viable horse population to support the continued growth of harness racing activity in the region,” Mr Scott said.
“It will also provide a much-needed entry point for new participants to our sport, and we are delighted HRV and the Victorian Government have seen fit to support this undertaking at Cranbourne.”
