Bathurst Thoroughbred Racing Club officials are excited at the prospects that a recent funding announcement could potentially bring more trainers to Tyers Park.
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It was announced last Wednesday that the club would receive a $3.7 million grant, which was being rolled out as part of the NSW Government's coronavirus stimulus package.
The funding announcement was made by Minister for Racing, Kevin Anderson, who explained that funding would be used to install four new stables of 20 boxes each, resulting in a total of 80 new boxes.
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Four new walkers would be built too, as well as three treadmills.
Both Bathurst Thoroughbred Racing Club general manager Michelle Tarpenning and club director Graeme Hanger said the funding will provide a major boost to the club and its Tyers Park racing facilities.
"This is something the club has been working on with Racing NSW for five years," Tarpenning explained.
"To see it come to fruition and see the money be granted, it's so exciting for the club.
"Our track will also receive some benefit to put the camber on the home turn, to fix the shoot and straighten the shoot up."
One event the club is hoping to secure in the future in the Central Districts qualifier for the Country Championships.
The qualifier was held in Bathurst in 2015, the first year of the Country Championships, but has since been in Wellington (2016-2017) and Mudgee (2018-2020).
Hanger believes the funding from the state government will help transform Tyers Park into the premier racing track in country NSW.
"It's phenomenal, we're just blown away by the announcement," he said.
"The $3.7 million will be for magnificent facilities and with 80 new stables, people will be looking at Bathurst as the premier country racecourse.
"Whatever happens in Bathurst, we're so blessed that we're so close to Sydney in so many different ways. Sydney trainers and from other places will say, 'I can come to Bathurst and if I need to take my horse in Sydney, it's not that far'.
"There'll be more trainers and the quality of the trainers and horses we'll get will be so exciting. We're looking forward to building this place up."
Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole, said at the funding announcement that the grant will help ensure the racing industry remains sustainable and can attract new participants.
It's unsure when work to upgrade the track will commence.
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