$1.56 million upgrade for Flemington Training Track

Flemington Racecourse, the home of the Melbourne Cup, will soon be able to operate in all weather conditions with works set to begin on a new synthetic training track.

The Victorian Government, through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund, will provide $624,000 towards the $1.56 million first stage of works on the new training track. Racing Victoria will match the Victorian Government’s contribution, while the Victoria Racing Club will provide $312,000 towards the Stage 1 works.

The new synthetic track will replace the existing dirt tracks to provide a sustainable surface for training, trials and jump outs at Flemington all year round.

The initial works involve stripping and removing the existing dirt track, repairing the track base and installing new drainage, concrete plinths, track profile and draining layer.

This first stage of the works is expected to take two months to complete, paving the way for the synthetic track to be laid as part of Stage 2 - which is scheduled for completion later this year.

Commenting on the project, Victorian Minister for Racing Martin Pakula stated “Flemington is home to some of the world’s best racehorses and trainers - that’s why we’re investing in even better facilities to make sure the racecourse’s infrastructure continues to match the quality of racing we see on the track.”

“The new, all-weather synthetic track will ensure that Australia’s premier racing destination continues to provide world-class training facilities.”

Since 2014, the Victorian Government has provided almost $14.3 million to support 15 infrastructure projects and five race day events at Flemington Racecourse.

The racing industry in Inner Metropolitan Melbourne generates more than $1.9 billion for the Victorian economy annually and helps to sustain more than 13,500 full-time equivalent jobs.