MTC has set its sights on embarking on one of the biggest developments in the club’s history to help overcome the city’s stable shortage.

MTC is looking to create a complex that could accommodate more than 100 horses.

The development came to light at Wagga City Council’s meeting on Monday night but is something MTC has been considering for a couple of years.

“The current situation – with the lack of stabling options in Wagga – really restricts the further expansion of racing locally,” MTC chief executive Scott Sanbrook said.

“Trainers outside the area who are looking to relocate here simply have nowhere to go, while Wagga trainers are limited with the how many horses they can have in work.

“And with all the recent Racing NSW initiatives – such as the Kosciuszko, the Country Championships and the Highway handicaps – it’s more appealing than ever before to train at a country centre such as Wagga.”

The stable proposal edged closer to reality when Wagga City Council unanimously approved consent to an application to NSW Crown Lands by the club for an adjustment to the boundary between the Wagga Cricket Ground Reserve and Wagga Racecourse Reserve.

The application will see the boundaries reflect the existing fencing on a parcel of Crown Land which has been maintained by the MTC for what is believed to be more than a century.

MTC is looking at unutilised land on its north-eastern boundary for the stable facility.

It is believed MTC may be in a position to lodge a development application before the end of the year.

The Daily Advertiser understands it will be a multi-million dollar project.

Sanbrook said MTC is yet to finalise how it will fund the development.

“The club is still considering different options that may be available for funding,” he said.

While Sanbrook stressed it is only early days in the process, he conceded it would be a significant development for the club.

“It will be one of the biggest projects we’ve ever looked into,” he said.

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