21 Feb 2017 The Free Press, Kilmore, VIC (General News) SEYMOUR Racecourses training track will soon be in top condition all year round, thanks to a new $1.2 million funding package. Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, announced funding of $600,000 towards the project through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund. Racing Victoria will also provide $420,000 and the Seymour Racing Club will contribute $180,000. The existing synthetic training track, which was installed more than 20 years ago and has reached the end of its life, needs to be replaced. The new track will significantly reduce the workload on the turf, allowing for faster recovery and regeneration. The upgrade will include stripping the existing surface, improving the base and drainage systems and the replacement of some running rails. A new automatic irrigation system will also be installed to allow night watering, which will reduce evaporation and save about $7500 in watering costs per year. This is another important improvement to Seymour Racecourse, which has been undergoing a $6 million redevelopment over the past 16 months, Ms Symes said. We are pleased to support the new training track, which will greatly enhance the facilities at this vital country training venue. Seymour hosts 18 race meetings and 30 jump outs and trials each year. There are 40 trainers based at the venue who train around 275 horses. The racing industry in the Goulburn region alone generates more than $227 million for the Victorian economy and helps to sustain more than 2240 full-time equivalent jobs locally. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.