Racing News, Randwick Races, Sydney Races
AJC to Transform Randwick
Randwick Race Course
The Australian Jockey Club would want to make Julia Gillard’s proclamation a reality by unveiling a plan to transform the Randwick racecourse. The renovation of the foremost horse racing track in Sydney is funded by a $150 million grant from the state government. This project can convert Randwick not just into a better racecourse but into a multi-purpose venue.
The $150 million grant is a contingent on the merger between the Australian Jockey Club and the Sydney Turf Club. The STC will receive $24 million for the improvement projects in Rosehill. Â AJC vice chairman John Cornish urged to vote for the merger to create the finances needed for the renovation of the grandstands and public facilities, building a hotel and licensed club and creating new stables.
Cornish added that what’s broken must be fixed and not so good facilities do not attract TVN, TAB and Sky which makes it hard to attract more crowds. Cornish also added that they only race there 40 days a year and that there are many more events that can be staged in Randwick to maximize the usage of its facilities.
Phase one of the Randwick construction project has been completed and it includes creating new routes within the course. To complete stages three and four, a budget of $85 to $150 million is needed.
Included in the reconstruction project is the Theatre of the Horse which is a state-of-the-art parade ring behind the grandstands. It will have a 4500-seat capacity. An owner’s stand with food and beverage concessionaire areas will be built as well.
Cornish said that they are dedicated to improve the experience that the owners will have at Randwick for they are the least catered group in horse racing. He added that they do not want to cater to horse owners but to the friends of the horse owners as well. This could possibly make the owner’s friend to buy his own horse especially if the one he supported won.
Although its features will be retained, the current members’ stand will be renovated into a heritage-listed building. Also, two-storey stables will be built but trainers will decide if they will stay in their old stables. The new stables are air conditioned and it has training track access via a tunnel.
Cornish said that the addition of a hotel was supported by the University of New South Wales and the Prince of Wales Hospital which are the nearest establishments to the Randwick racecourse. He added that the two establishments supported the idea for they have many visitors every year who could not find a suitable accommodation within the area.
AJC Chief Executive Darren Pearce said that their members’ meeting on the merger vote is scheduled on the 26th of August. Meanwhile, the Sydney Turf Club has not announced a date for their members’ vote on the merger.
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