Wimmera racegoers and visitors will have even more reasons to visit their local track thanks to an infrastructure funding boost of more than $660,000 from the Victorian Government.
Minister for Racing, Anthony Carbines, visited the Ararat Turf Club, Donald and District Racing Club and St Arnaud Turf Club, which are all receiving upgrades to deliver high-quality racing events all year round in the region.
“It’s great to visit the region and see all the improvements of our western race clubs which contribute so much to their communities,” said Mr. Carbines.
“The regional racing industry plays a vital role in Victoria’s economy, generating $1.17 billion and helping sustain more than 9,000 jobs. We’ll always back them in.”
More than $315,000 from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund (VRIF) has gone into upgrading Ararat’s irrigation system, with Racing Victoria and the club contributing more than $157,000 each for the new system.
An additional $36,000 has been provided to help install four new permanent shade umbrellas at Ararat, with the club matching the Govern-ment’s contribution. Ararat holds up to seven race meets a year and conducts five official trials and jump-out meetings per season.
The Government has invested more than $310,000 to upgrade the irrigation system at Donald, with Racing Victoria and the club contributing more than $155,000 each towards the project.
The new irrigation system is already helping the club manage its watering programs, improving overall track consistency ahead of race and trial meetings.
It will help save money on labour, water and additional wear and tear to the tracks, while minimising water lost to evaporation. The club holds race meets up to six times a year, and conducts up to six official trials and jump-outs per year.
“We thank Racing Victoria and the Donald and District Racing Club for their contributions to this worthwhile project, and I look forward to getting back here for the races as soon as I can,” said Mr Carbines.
Chairman Jack Alexander warmly thanked the Victorian Racing Industry Fund and Racing Victoria for the financial support in helping to see the installation of the new irrigation system.
“The automatic watering system has certainly streamlined the track maintenance process and is a welcome addition to the club’s infrastructure,” said Donald and District Racing Club chairman, Jack Alexander.
Customer facilities upgrade at Donald
Minister Carbines has also recently approved $23,000 to support the first stage of the customer facilities upgrades at Donald through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund.
The first stage involves increasing the size of the ticket box, upgrading the entrance by providing undercover shelter, paving, landscaping, signage and safety bollards.
These upgrades will improve the customer experience by providing all abilities access and an appealing and welcoming environment to attract patrons to the Donald Racecourse. The project is expected to be completed by June 2025.
“We know the importance of maintaining racing and training infrastructure for racing clubs across the state, and that’s why we’re so pleased to help Donald with these essential upgrades to ensure the region continues to play a critical role,” said Mr Carbines.
Wimmera upgrades
In the North-West, the thoroughbred racing industry generates more than $63 million for the Victorian economy and helps sustain over 500 full time jobs in the area.
The government is supporting the industry, and its infrastructure needs to ensure participants have the quality facilities they need to succeed.
At St. Arnaud
St. Arnaud received $125,000 through the VRIF to support upgrades to the club’s race day administration building and jockey rooms, with Racing Victoria and the club providing $62,500 each towards the project.
The upgrades will include a new portable building for a female jockey room providing better facilities for the growing number of female riders.
St. Arnaud’s dining room and kitchen recently received an upgrade, thanks to a $19,000 contribution from the VRIF as well as more than $19,000 each from Racing Victoria and the club. The club races once a year on Cox Plate Day and conducts up to four official trials and jump-outs meetings per year.
Since 2014, the Govern-ment has provided more than $740,000 to Ararat, $528,000 to Donald and more than $240,000 to St Arnaud to support new infrastructure builds at each club.
“Regional racetracks are an important hub for our communties and support hundreds of jobs – which is why we’ll keep helping them to put on great events year-round,” said Member for Ripon Martha Haylett.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 15 April 2025.
