GRC set for grass track funding boost

THE Geelong Racing Club is set for a major boost with the Andrews Government backing the development of an inside grass track to ensure the facility continues to be a hub for racegoers long into the future.

On Friday, Minister for Racing Anthony Carbine announced that Labor would be investing more than $730,000 into the project through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund.

“Geelong is an important training centre for the thoroughbred industry and this funding will ensure it has the facilities it needs to attract more investment into the state’s second largest city,” Mr Carbine said.

The new developments will see existing fibre sand track replaced with a new 10-metre wide inside grass training track with plastic running rails, while a narrower fibre sand track will also be installed between the inside grass track and the course proper.

Geelong Racing Club President Peter Murrihy said the funding would go a long way to supporting the club’s future.

“We’re rapt the Victorian government is further supporting our Club’s development,” he said.

“Better utilising the area inside the track will really boost our facilities and ability to attract trainers.”

Member for Geelong Christine Couzens was also thrilled about the announcement.

“The Geelong Cup was a great success welcoming back crowds for the first time since 2019, and this funding for the inside track is another boon for the Club.”

Since 2019 the Labor Government has invested more than $1.98 million in projects for the club including $662,000 for 40 new recently completed stables, attracting the likes of Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Danny O’Brien.

The stables are expected to boost the Club’s revenue from stabling and training fees, and the solar panels installed on the roofs of the two stable barns will reduce the Club’s power bills.

Other investments have included a $400,000 super screen to ensure racegoers don’t miss a thing, new training and starting gates to improve animal and jockey welfare, upgraded jockey rooms, sand track irrigation, upgrades to the raceday stables, and car park upgrades to improve safety when loading and unloading horse floats.

Labor’s investment in the racing industry is said to help the Geelong region generate more than $130 million each year for the Victorian economy and sustain more than 1,000 jobs.