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By Mark Brassel

The NSW Government has thrown its support behind the NSW Racing Industry by investing $6.7 million on capital works for country racecourses.

This follows the announcement of a $3.7 million grant to improve facilities at Bathurst Thoroughbred Racing’s Tyers Park.

Thumbs up from all for the huge facilities grant for Bathurst’s Tyers Park

“The NSW Government is providing significant funding to upgrade five country tracks and we are appreciative of this initiative and for the government’s constant support,” said Racing NSW’s Chairman, Mr Russell Balding AO.

“We are grateful that our State government recognises the importance of thoroughbred racing in the country regions and these grants will improve infrastructure and stimulate local communities.

“The support given to the Thoroughbred Racing Industry by the NSW Government during this COVID pandemic in facilitating the continuing conduct of racing activities when much of the State was faced with a severe lock-down not only demonstrated strong leadership, but also sound economic management and was very much appreciated.

“This allowed us to protect the incomes and livelihoods of the vast numbers of participants involved in the industry”, Mr Balding added.

The Bathurst project includes the construction of additional stabling, course proper reconfiguration, horse walkers and treadmills.

Other NSW racecourses to receive NSW Government funding are Taree ($1.2 million for day stalls), Grafton ($1 million on a water harvesting project) and Dubbo ($318,000 on stabling).

NSW Minister for Better Regulation & Innovation and Racing, the Hon. Kevin Anderson MP, said the NSW Government is proud to support racing infrastructure across country NSW that helps build community engagement, provides employment and improves the liveability of regional communities.

“As a strong supporter of regional racing, the NSW Nationals recognise the key role the regional tracks play in creating jobs and tourism, as well as bringing communities together,” Mr Anderson said.

The investment is part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 stimulus package and will also result in new jobs at country racecourses.

COUNTRY UPGRADES
Bathurst
Construction of 80 stable boxes with washbays, tack & feed rooms and storage rooms. Horse walkers and treadmills to augment gallops. Configure the course proper, especially the home turn and expansion of infield water storage.

Taree
Replace the existing raceday tie-up stalls. The existing stalls are on slope and these will be replaced by relocating the tie-up stalls to a more suitable location. The final project will be 110 tie-up stalls and six wash bays.

Grafton
Construct in-field dams in existing natural watercourse to capture/harvest storm water. This will enable the Club to reduce its reliance on town water augmenting the harvested storm water with treated effluent for use in irrigating the track.

Dubbo
Construction of additional stabling boxes, washbays, tack & feed rooms and storage rooms.

Upcoming NSW country race meetings
Monday: Muswellbrook
Tuesday: Grafton
Friday: Scone
Saturday: Albury, Armidale, Mudgee (non-TAB), Casino (non-TAB), Wauchope (non-TAB)
Sunday: Coonabarabran, Port Macquarie