New South Wales Minister for Gaming and Racing opens upgraded facilities at Scone Race Club

The new facilities are part of the Racing for the Regions programme.

Australia.- New South Wales Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris has opened upgraded facilities at Scone Race Club, a key component of the state’s AU$67m (US$44.3m) Racing for the Regions programme. The initiative allocated AU$20m (US$13.3m) for a Polytrack training surface, new stables and supporting infrastructure.

The eight-metre-wide all-weather Polytrack allows year-round training, reduces water usage and improves horse safety through a more consistent surface. Stage one of the stabling project has already relocated 113 horses into a two-storey complex, with four additional stables planned by the end of 2026. Once completed, the facility will accommodate more than 520 horses, making it the largest regional training centre in New South Wales.

Additional upgrades across the Hunter region include an AU$4.2m (US$2.8m) grandstand redevelopment at Muswellbrook Race Club, featuring expanded viewing areas, enhanced function spaces and larger female jockey facilities. Meanwhile, Cessnock Race Club is benefiting from AU$11.5m (US$7.6m) in combined investments, including a new sand-based training track, grass track upgrades and stabling infrastructure for up to 160 horses.

Minister Harris said: “It was fantastic to officially open the state-of-the-art new training track and to see the impressive new stabling infrastructure so close to completion at Scone Race Club and other major works virtually completed at Muswellbrook and underway at Cessnock, thanks to the NSW Government’s Racing for the Regions program.”

“Country racecourses and clubs play a crucial role in developing our champions of tomorrow, and these upgrades will ensure the Hunter and Upper Hunter regions are competitive, grow jobs and offer world-class facilities for both participants and the community.

The Hunter region hosts major events such as the Darley Scone Cup Carnival. Over the past five years, the Racing for the Regions program has funded improvements at several other racecourses across New South Wales, including Gosford, Tamworth, Hawkesbury, Sapphire Coast, Moruya and Albury.

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The new facilities are part of the Racing for the Regions programme. Australia.- New South Wales Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris has opened upgraded facilities at Scone Race Club, a key component of the state’s AU$67m (US$44.3m) Racing for the Regions programme. The initiative allocated AU$20m (US$13.3m) for a Polytrack training surface, new…