Synthetic track for new Pakenham racecourse
Premier and Minister for Racing Dr Denis Napthine today announced a $9 million injection to the new Pakenham Racecourse project at Tynong to include Victoria’s second all-weather, synthetic track in addition to the premium turf track already under construction.
The synthetic track, which will join Victoria's inaugural synthetic racetrack at Geelong, will be 2000 metres in circumference and, with chutes at the 1400 and 1600 metre marks, will provide greater flexibility in programming with all distance ranges from 1000 to 2400 metres catered for.
Whilst the exact number of meetings to be staged annually on the new Pakenham Synthetic track is yet to be finalised, it is anticipated there will be approximately 16 meetings programmed each season, commencing from the 2015-16 season, as well as the option to host transferred cards.
The announcement is part of the $70 million, 608-acre racecourse development in Melbourne’s south east that will bring hundreds of jobs to the region and help keep Victoria as the premier racing state in Australia.
Racing on the state-of-art 2400 metre turf track will commence at the new Pakenham Racecourse in late 2014, with the final meeting at the Club's current site in Pakenham set down for February 2014.
“This $70 million racecourse development at Tynong, Victoria’s first new racecourse in 40 years will be a major economic boon for south east Melbourne and West Gippsland,” Dr Napthine said. “Importantly, the installation of the $9 million synthetic track will make this racing facility one of the best in Australia.”
Click to read more
This news item sourced from an update issued by Racing Victoria Limited.
