Menangle Park Training Centre expands

Harness Racing New South Wales has taken another step forward in providing world class facilities at the Menangle Park Training Centre by securing the on-site water walker equipment previously under private ownership.

The training centre was opened in 2016 to accommodate 120 horses but didn’t have the water walker component until operators Aquagait secured a long-term license from HRNSW over part of the centre and built the facility.

Whilst successfully operated by Aquagait with outside horses utilising the water walker as well as those stabled at the centre, HRNSW took advantage of an option to purchase the facilities to provide for additional stables for expanding training operations according to HRNSW Chief Executive John Dumesny.

“The establishment of the training centre was a vital strategy adopted to provide opportunities for trainers both in the metropolitan area with the ever urbanization of Sydney as well as those trainers who wished to relocate to a secure world class facility,” Dumesny stated.

“It has grown accordingly and it was essential that operating the water walker facilities and securing the associated barns would assist with the furtherance of that strategy.

“Whilst to date it is an Industry investment of more than $10million, there is still room to expand with in-ground infrastructure in place for another two barns which equates to 48 stables.

“The retention barn which was 50 per cent funded by Club Menangle is another tool in the integrity arsenal where horses can be retained for longer periods for observation purposes but it may be used for visitors to the major Carnivals.

“There is also space for an administration building and other operations such as a feed merchant and a veterinary practice which with the ever growing number of horses may not be too far away from reality.

“The Bankstown headquarters will undoubtedly in the fullness of time move.”

The training centre is now at near maximum capacity of 228 horses and also has another 24-stall retention barn for potential overflow but is primarily for integrity purposes.

For further information contact Industry Development Manager Brett Scelly at bscelly@hrnsw.com.au or 97226600.

by Amanda Rando, for Harness Racing New South Wales