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SPRING racing in Cranbourne never looked so neat, with two new on-course stables and a fast sand training track opened for use at the Cranbourne Turf Club.
Minister for Racing Martin Pakula unveiled the first stage of the $6.5 million stables complex and a refurbished training track at the Cranbourne Training Complex on Wednesday 10 August.
CEO at the Turf Club Neil Bainbridge said refurbishment would allow the complex to cater for the “increasing demand from trainers”.
The stables complex involves five separate sites and when completed will house almost 250 horses, with tie-up stalls and a mezzanine floor viewing platform overlooking the training tracks.
The remaining two sites are scheduled to be completed in October.
Around 275 horses use the track each day and the extensive wear caused the surface to break down, making it unsuitable for training and unusable during wet weather.
The new track provides a safer and more forgiving surface, and improved drainage allows trainers to carry out track work in most weather conditions.
The State Government has contributed almost $1 million to the complex, courtesy of its Victorian Racing Industry Fund, with the remaining funding provided by the Cranbourne Turf Club.
The government has also provided $120,000 towards the rebuild of the fast sand track, with Racing Victoria contributing $100,000 and the club providing $20,000.
Minister for Racing Martin Pakula said: “The Cranbourne Training Complex is vital for the Victorian racing industry and we are proud to be contributing to this important project.”
“These works will set a new standard for on-course stabling and restore the sand track to optimal condition.”