Bathurst Harness Racing Club’s much anticipated $7.5 million new complex is ready to be used this week after years of planning and construction.
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A new trotting track and a range of premium facilities have been built near the Vale Road as part of the project, funded predominantly by Harness Racing NSW.
The new track, at 1064 metres in circumference, is an increase of more than 200m on the track used by the club at the Bathurst Showground.
Bathurst Harness Racing Club CEO Danny Dwyer believes the new track will bring more trainers to the region and also allow for local horses to be better prepared for race conditions in Sydney.
“I think the bigger track will encourage Sydney trainers to bring their horses up here to race on a good track,” Mr Dwyer said.
“Because it’s a larger track here than at the showground, it will allow horses to get accustomed to the one in Sydney.”
Aside from the track, the complex features a clubhouse that includes a dining area and sponsors’ room.
Mr Dwyer hopes this area will “allow the club to run extra meetings” in the future.
As for the racing side of things, the complex has an expansive stable area with 90 indoor stalls and a further 20 outside.
The new complex’s grandstand has enough seating for 200 people.
There is also ample parking for cars and an area for offloading horses during events.
Mr Dwyer believes this is a “higher class of facility” that will vastly improve the reputation of Bathurst as a trotting centre.
The new Bathurst Paceway will play host to a club meeting tonight before the first trotting event gets underway this weekend.
The ceremonial first sod was turned for the complex in July last year.
The final Bathurst Harness Racing meeting at the Bathurst Showground was held on September 21, where a big crowd gathered to say goodbye to the historic venue.
