Racing NSW announces a $20m funding for infrastructure upgrade to country and provincial racetracks
A number of provincial and country racetracks across New South Wales will receive funding for infrastructure and track upgrades as part of a $20m package from Racing NSW.
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Racing NSW has announced a $20 million infrastructure investment for country and provincial racetracks.
The NSW Labor Government’s Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris, and Racing NSW’s newly appointed chair Dr Saranne Cooke, made the joint announcement at Wyong racecourse on Thursday.
Goulburn racecourse receives the most significant funding of $9.5 million to construct 80 new stables and supporting infrastructure, with these works already having the necessary development approvals.
Gosford racecourse will have a new home-turn camber constructed on the course proper at a cost of $2 million.
This project will greatly improve the competitiveness of racing at Gosford, with works to commence immediately following the feature The Coast race meeting in May.
Wyong racecourse has secured more than $1.5 million for irrigation and drainage upgrades, and other improvements.
Around the state, Dubbo, Albury, Wagga and Grafton have also received funding for new or improved training tracks, with these works ready for immediate commencement.
Ballina will receive funding for a complete irrigation system upgrade to ensure the club is able to efficiently and reliably manage their training and racing surfaces.
Orange has funding for refurbishment of existing on-course stabling that is currently vacant, adding to the volume of horses in training at the venue.
Minister Harris said the Racing NSW funding injection is welcome and will help create jobs in rural and regional areas.
“Thoroughbred racing is an economic powerhouse in regional NSW, providing around 17,700 direct jobs and contributing almost $2 billion to the state’s economy,” Harris said.
“Regional racecourses and clubs play a crucial role in developing our state’s world-class thoroughbreds and creating the champion racehorses of the future.
“This funding injection is also about futureproofing the industry. This significant investment in infrastructure, as well as a pipeline of trained workers from the Team Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy established by Racing NSW at Scone, creates a safe and sustainable future for the industry.
“Local jobs in rural and regional areas have flow-on effects across the whole economy and for our communities.
“The NSW Government understands the value that racing brings to NSW and will continue to support it being the number one state for thoroughbred racing in the country.”
This latest infrastructure spend comes on top of Racing NSW’s $125 million investment in the past 10 years improving the safety and reliability of racing and training facilities in NSW.
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Champion jockey Blake Shinn is chasing a second Golden Slipper on brilliant filly Lady of Camelot.
Shinn confirmed he had accepted the offer to ride Lady Of Camelot in the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper, run at Rosehill Gardens later this month.
Lady Of Camelot, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, won the Widden Stakes and ran a game second in last week’s Blue Diamond.
Shinn, Melbourne’s reigning premier jockey, won the 2016 Golden Slipper on Capitalist.
Waterhouse and Bott have a deep pool of juvenile talent this season and could have a record eight runners in the Golden Slipper on March 23.
Their two-year-old team is led by juvenile sensation Storm Boy who will have his final lead-up to the Golden Slipper in the Skyline Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
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Via Sistina, one of Europe’s best weight-for-age horses, has been a late inclusion in nominations for The Championships.
Racing NSW stewards approved requests for Via Sistina to be added to Group 1 entries for the Doncaster Mile, Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Queen of the Turf Stakes at Royal Randwick next month.
It was established the Chris Waller stable had submitted the nominations as required on February 10 for the Randwick races but they were not processed.
She’s very good 🌟
— Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) July 1, 2023
Via Sistina lands the Gr.1 Pretty Polly Stakes at @curraghrace for the @gbougheyracing, Mrs R G Hillen & @JPSPENCER1980 team. She was bought for just 5,000gns at the #TattsDecember Yearling Sale by @StephenHillenBS from @jamierailton.pic.twitter.com/YGPCF6QhLa
Via Sistina’s eligibility for The Championships is significant as the mare has outstanding form including her win in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh last year.
A daughter of champion sire Fastnet Rock, Via Sistina also ran second in the Champions Stakes at Ascot behind King Of Steel with Dubai Honour seven lengths away in sixth placing.
TAB Fixed Odds price assessors immediately installed Via Sistina $15 for the Doncaster Mile, $11 for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and $8 equal favourite for the Queen of the Turf Stakes.
Via Sistina is expected to arrive on a shipment of international runners due in Sydney this weekend along with English maestro William Haggas’s two autumn carnival hopefuls, Mujtaba and Post Impressionist.
Originally published as Racing NSW announces a $20m funding for infrastructure upgrade to country and provincial racetracks
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