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Eight South Australian racetracks will see significant upgrades after the release of millions of dollars

SA horse racing tracks to get major facelifts after the release of $2.5 million in funding.

Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide (AAP Image/Morgan Sette)
Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide (AAP Image/Morgan Sette)

From Port Lincoln to Strathalbyn, horse racing tracks across South Australia will see significant upgrades with the release of $2.5 million in funds.

The big ticket items include $500,000 each towards additional stabling at Morphettville and an uphill sand training track at the new Murray Bridge racing complex.

More than $600,000 will go towards a new equine pool and stabling at Gawler, while $250,000 will be used to help attract more horse ownership.

The 10 projects are being funded as part of the State Government’s $24 million industry rescue package.

Morphettville Racecourse. Picture: AAP/Morgan Sette
Morphettville Racecourse. Picture: AAP/Morgan Sette

The South Australian Jockey Club will also spend a further $1.7 million at Morphettville – taking the total to $2.2 million – for around 80 new horse boxes at the course’s southwestern corner on Morphett Rd.

The cost is a significant reduction on the $8 million previously touted to build more than 150 new stables at the state’s premier racing venue.

A number of high profile trainers have recently left Morphettville, including Phillip Stokes and Lloyd Kennewell, transferring their racing operations interstate.

SAJC chief executive Grant Mayer said the funding had given the industry “a much-needed injection of confidence”. “We’d like to thank Thoroughbred Racing SA for backing our initiative and the (Racing) Minister for seeing the growth opportunities in a project that we believe will not only support local trainers but also help us attract interstate business,” Mr Mayer said.

Frances Nelson QC with her 8-year-old thoroughbred hunting horse
Frances Nelson QC with her 8-year-old thoroughbred hunting horse "Guess" at her property near Oakbank. Picture: Mark Brake

Minister for Racing Corey Wingard said the government was keen to assure all areas of the industry had the opportunity to apply for funding.

“The State Government is committed to ensuring that benefits from the stimulus package be felt across all levels of the industry – from grassroots right through to the elite level,” Mr Wingard said.

“The quality of submissions for this release of funds was excellent and I look forward to seeing the results.”

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TRSA chair Frances Nelson QC also backed the investment as crucial to the “vitality and viability of the thoroughbred racing industry”.

“We are delighted to have this first stage of projects approved by the Minister and will be working closely with the clubs as the projects progress,” Ms Nelson said.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/west-beaches/eight-south-australian-racetracks-will-see-significant-upgrades-after-the-release-of-millions-of-dollars/news-story/3ae43ccaa3121bae6fd8750121405a35