MORE than a million dollars in safety improvements on the Bendigo Jockey Club’s training track are expected to be complete in the next six weeks.
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The $1.1 million project involves removing the synthetic track surface, to be replaced with a new sand composition.
An automatic irrigation system is also being installed to ensure the track meets modern safety standards for trainers.
The 1700-metre training track runs inside the main track at the racecourse in White Hills, and was installed nine years ago.
The state government provided $550,000 to the project through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund, while Racing Victoria chipped in $440,000 and the jockey club raised $110,000.
Racing minister Martin Pakula visited the track on Friday, and said the upgrade would encourage trainers to continue to “invest” in racing in regional Victoria.
“Bendigo racecourse is a premier country racing destination and it’s important that we are able to support the Bendigo Jockey Club in installing the best possible training facilities," he said.
The racecourse hosts more than 20 meetings annually, while more than 200 horses train on the training track each morning.
Bendigo Jockey Club chief executive officer Aaron Hearps said the new training track would be “more cost effective and safer”.
“The Bendigo Jockey Club is dedicated to offering the best racing experience in Victoria and the new track will ensure that our training facilities are also of the highest standard,” he said.
During the visit to Bendigo, Mr Pakula also announced $120,000 of the $240,000 needed for the Bendigo harness and greyhound racing clubs to purchase a new generator at Lords Raceway.
The clubs expect the generator to save a combined $60,000 per year on power costs.
The new generator will allow the two racing clubs to operate their own night track lighting.
Bendigo Harness Racing Club sales and marketing manager Brendan Baker said the generator would be a boost to the club.
“We’re always looking at ways to reduce our operating costs, without impacting on the racing experience,” he said.
Harness Racing Victoria is providing $74,500 for the new generator, while Greyhound Racing Victoria will chip in $26,500. The Bendigo Greyhound Racing Club will also provide $20,000.