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AS the old saying goes – if you build it, they will come.
That was the case for the Bathurst Paceway, with thousands of people turning out for yesterday’s official opening in perfect weather.
The opening also attracted a good field of horses for the 10-race meeting, and the crowds were entertained by last year’s The X Factor winner Dami Im.
Bathurst Harness Racing Club chief executive officer Danny Dwyer said the $7.5 million track was a long time in the making and it was exciting to finally have it open.
“I was hoping for a couple of thousand people and I think we’ve achieved that,” he said.
Looking around the crowds milling in the new clubhouse, public viewing area, stables, and at the private function under a huge marquee, Mr Dwyer said he was relieved to see a lot of “new faces”.
“There’s a lot of new faces from a club’s point of view. It’s what this is all about, being able to bring new people to harness racing for the day,” he said.
Among the crowd was Bathurst man Peter Nugent, who admits he was initially against the club’s move from Bathurst Showground to its new location on College Road.
“I was actually against the concept of moving from the showground,” he said.
Midway though yesterday’s races, Mr Nugent said he’d changed his mind on the move.
He said the new track and facilities would mean good things for the sport and the region.
“I am in awe of the committee for the unbending commitment, they’ve made it from a dream to a reality.”
Newly-elected leader of the NSW Nationals and Deputy Premier of NSW Troy Grant was also among the crowd yesterday.