The Manangatang Racing Club will soon have a new automated track irrigation system, thanks to a funding package of more than $60,000 backed by the Victorian Government.
Minister for Racing Martin Pakula today announced that the Government would invest $30,000 from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund to support the upgrade of the watering infrastructure. The club is contributing $15,000 and Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria a combined $15,000.
The Manangatang Racing Club is an integral part of the community and each October the Cup meeting attracts around 3,000 visitors to the Mallee town of about 250 people. This year's Cup was cancelled due to the pandemic, however this project will give the club a boost and significantly improve the track for future meetings.
The existing irrigation system is manually operated and time consuming for committee members and volunteers who maintain the track. It is also difficult to maintain a consistent water application across the track, which affects the evenness of the racing surface and also wastes water.
The project will see an upgrade of the existing irrigation lines and the installation of valves and pop-up sprinklers. This will ensure more efficient water coverage and a more consistent and safer racing surface.
The automatic system will allow watering at night and therefore reduce evaporation and save the club around $5,000 a year in water costs.
Since December 2014, the Victorian Government has provided more than $150,000 to support racing events and infrastructure projects at Manangatang.
The thoroughbred racing industry in regional Victoria generates more than $700 million for the Victorian economy each year and helps sustain more than 6,100 full-time-equivalent jobs.
As stated by Minister for Racing Martin Pakula
"This project will improve the Manangatang track and save the club significant money."
"Thousands of Victorians have attended Cup day at Manangatang over the years and the new irrigation system will ensure that many more will get to experience this great day out."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
"Racing clubs like Manangatang thrive because of the hard work and dedication of volunteers and it's great that we're able to do a bit of the heavy lifting as well."
As stated by Manangatang Racing Club presidentNeville Arentz
"We can't run our famous Manangatang Cup this year, but this new irrigation system will ensure our track is in perfect condition for 2021 and we can't wait to welcome back the crowds."
