The Andrews Labor Government will provide Wangaratta Turf Club with more than $336,000 in funding for its return to racing this Melbourne Cup Day and the purchase of portable equipment including marquees. Four country racing clubs will share the new marquees and equipment, worth $558,000, to reduce the cost of setting up for their feature racedays. The project will benefit racing clubs in Benalla, Wangaratta, Wodonga and Yarra Valley, which will no longer have to look to private suppliers to hire pagoda marquees, chairs and tables for racegoers. The Labor Government will provide $279,000 from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund, with the Wangaratta Turf Club contributing $107,000 and Yarra Valley Racing $172,000, towards the $558,000 project. Racing will return to Wangaratta after 12 months, following a major renovation, on one of the biggest weekends for the regional city and the biggest day of racing in Australia on Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 3 November. The club will put on a big day of racing aimed at attracting around 5,000 racegoers, capitalising on the popularity of the Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival, enticing people to stay on and enjoy the long weekend. Entertainment will include a headline musical act, Fashions on the Field, and the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on the big screen. The Labor Government is providing $57,500 courtesy of the Victoria Racing Industry Funds Raceday Attraction Program, in partnership with Wangaratta Turf Club, which will contribute $57,900. Victoria is the proud leader of Australian racing, generating more than $2.8 billion in economic activity and supporting more than 26,500 full time jobs. The VRIF returns unclaimed wagering dividends and on-course wagering taxes back to the industry. It funds projects across Victoria, supporting jobs, improving safety and boosting the racing experience for racegoers. Quotes attributable to Racing Minister Martin Pakula This is a wonderful example of four country racing clubs working together to reduce the cost of staging their racing events and to improve the experience for racegoers. The new marquees can also host other occasions such as community events, trade shows and private functions. Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes The Wangaratta Turf Club is offering racegoers a complete package for the Melbourne Cup Day weekend to celebrate racings return and show off its renovated racetrack. Quotes attributable to Wangaratta Turf Club CEO Paul Hoysted The Wangaratta Turf Club is excited about the funding of event equipment which will be used between Wangaratta, Benalla, Wodonga and Yarra Valley and will also be available for other clubs within our region.