Advertising feature
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Wagga Harness Racing Club is looking towards the future with the move into their new purpose-built facility now imminent.
For the past 10 years a new track has been on the cards so the upgrade has been a long time coming for the longstanding club which was formed in the 1950s.
For the past 65 years racing has been at the Wagga Showgrounds with a rich history written at that venue.
The club is looking forward to making history at the new track at Cartwrights Hill with racing starting in February.
“We will be more flexible for race dates in the new complex which has been built in the biggest growth area in Wagga,” Wagga Harness Racing Club chief executive officer Graeme White said.
“The location is ideal because there is access to main roads and the Olympic highway and it’s perfectly located close to Charles Sturt University and the veterinary schools.
“The current track is in the middle of town which has been great but we’re moving into our own purpose-built facility.”
The current track will still be used as a training-only facility.
The functions of the club are only expected to improve at the new venue with the club to still host 35 race meets a year and continue to support the sport at a grassroots level – the mini trots which caters for drivers from five-years-old to 16-years-old.
It will be the last night of racing for the mini trots drivers at the Wagga Showground on December 22 but they will continue to have a strong presence after the move.
“They’re a big part of the growth of the industry,” Mr White said.
“There’s a very big group of young kids that do it and kids across the state take part.
“They’re the future of the sport coming through.
“There has been a few good drivers come through the program.”
The mini trots drivers and ponies will even have their own section at the new venue.
With 150 race stalls, a restaurant, bar, judges room, race-callers box, Sky Racing camera area and stewards room the new venue is sure to impress.
The track and club house is very similar to Bathurst while the stables area is identical to Penrith.