Harness Racing NSW is set to extend its commitment to racing in the states north west with Tamworth to be given 30 meetings next season.
HRNSW chief executive John Dumesny said the $5 million investment to buy Tamworth Showground last year had delivered a boost for the sport in the region. It is now Paceway Tamworth and HRNSW has signed off on a $2 million improvement to facilities.
Setting the pace: Tamworth is set to host more harness racing meetings next year.
Photo: Supplied
“We are starting the upgrades to the paceway in the next couple of months, which include a roof over the race stalls, a new officials pod and a refurbishment of the on-track permanent stables,” Dumesny said. “We have more than 10 trainers permanently stabled at Tamworth now and more than 60 horses there and you can see the result of that with full fields on their programs.
“It has reinvigorated harness racing in the region. We have trainers from the Hunter and Queensland travelling to the meetings, which is great to see.
“Almost instantly the number of horses trained on the paceway doubled when we bought the paceway and this number will grow again once work on the permanent stables is completed.”
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Tamworth held 20 meeting in 2014 and that has grown to 26 meetings this year, and Dumesny told a meeting of trainers that would increase to 30 meetings next season.
“If these meetings, which will be put on on a trial basis, can be sustained though adequate field sizes and eight-race meetings, HRNSW will look towards further supporting owners and trainers in the region,” he said.
The work at Tamworth will take place during September and October and, while the redevelopment takes place, four scheduled meetings will be moved to Armidale.
Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald
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