New racing facilities opened in Pakenham

Horse racing facilities at the new Pakenham racecourse have been officially opened by Victorian Premier Dr Denis Napthine.

The 608 acre racing and training Tynong centre includes two sand tracks, undercover horse stalls, horse walks and two access tunnels.

Part of a $72 million development, Dr Napthine declared that the centre would become “the best training facility anywherein the world.”

With the former Pakenham racecourse having closed in February, the first of 40 annual race meetings to be held at the track, which has both turf and artificial surfaces and is engineered for night racing on both tracks, will be run on 26th March next year.

Racing Victoria Chairman Rob Roulston said the number of meetings held at Pakenham would make it one of the “busiest” tracks in the state.

The successful tender for the important artificial track is expected to be announced shortly, with work expected to begin on that track by October.

Dr Napthine has also committed almost $200,000 to help purchase a new 62 metre2 LED screen/video board and new barrier stalls.

The Pakenham Racing Club has sold its former 24 hectare racecourse site, with the site of its new equine precinct being rezoned by the Victorian Government in May 2010 as a Special Use Zone (SUZ) – gaining the designation as a project of state significance in respect to its rezoning.

This SUZ status is unique and underpins the future growth potential and expansion for the precinct over the decades ahead. It is not just a racing and training centre, but a fully integrated employment, residential, commercial and retail precinct.

At 608 acres the new Pakenham Racecourse is the largest racecourse in Australia.

Click here to visit the Pakenham Racing Club website.