Thursday, 17 May 2012: The Victorian Government will co-fund a master plan for future growth at the Seymour racecourse.
Racing Minister Dr Dennis Napthine said the Coalition Government and the racing industry would jointly provide $65,000 towards the development of the master plan for the Seymour racing precinct, including the racecourse and adjacent areas.
Dr Napthine said the master plan would be used to develop jobs and economic benefits to the Seymour community.
“Seymour is ideally placed to become a major regional training centre. It is central to many of Victoria's racecourses and breeding farms, has direct road connections to Melbourne and Sydney and enjoys a warm climate,” he said.
“Most importantly, there is room to move at Seymour with approximately 30 hectares of Crown land to the east of the back straight of the racetrack, well-suited for an expansion of training facilities.
“There is an opportunity to take advantage of this situation and potentially lure top trainers, including those in Melbourne, to Seymour.”
Racing Victoria Chief Operating Officer Bernard Saundry said Seymour was right on the doorstep of Victoria's thriving thoroughbred breeding industry and was a key regional racing centre that drew strong participation from metropolitan and country stables.
“This master plan will determine opportunities to further strengthen Seymour's role in the industry through the enhancement of training facilities and the introduction of on-course stabling,” Saundry said.
There are 39 trainers regularly training over 200 horses at Seymour racecourse.
Seymour Racing Club chief executive Penny Reeve said she was excited by the possibilities the master plan could identify.
“Racing Victoria has looked at the potential for Seymour to become a major training centre. This master plan looks at solutions to improve and expand on the existing facilities at Seymour and increase the number of horses and trainers at the venue,” Reeve said.
The master plan is expected to be completed within four months.
