New Race Day Facilities Unveiled for 2yo Classic

Some of the north’s best horses will be accommodated in 100 new race day horse stalls for the first time at Cluden Park’s 2yo Classic tomorrow.

The $1.7 million project, funded by Racing Queensland’s Racing Infrastructure Fund for $1.5 million with the remainder funded by Cluden Park, was officially finished this week in time for Saturday’s race, the first event in the 2021 Winter Racing Carnival.

Trainers from Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gordonvale, Sunshine Coast and Townsville have converged on the racecourse for the $100,000 2yo Classic race meeting and will be the first to test out the new facilities.

Cluden Park committee chairman Malcolm Petrofski said the new stalls will benefit both patrons and industry.

“The construction of the new tie-up stalls will provide modern and safe facilities for horses and their trainers and strappers, and from the new location on the site of the old betting ring, the public will be much closer to the action,” Mr Petrofski said.

"Throughout the redevelopment a major focus was to improve the number of touch points between public, industry participants and the equine athletes. The public can safely get a close-up view of the potential winners and talk to the trainers.”

“It’s going to be fantastic to see the stalls in use for the first time at Saturday’s 2yo Classic, which is a significant race on Townsville’s calendar.”

Since the floods in 2019, Cluden Park has undergone a major transformation with a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of historic grandstands, public amenities and race day facilities.

“We’re extremely grateful to Racing Queensland for their contribution of $1.5m toward this project," Mr Petrofski said.

The stabling project was constructed in two blocks of 50 stalls and increases the overall number of tie-up stalls at Cluden to 140.

Member for Mundingburra Les Walker welcomed the latest milestone for the Cluden Park facilities.

“The Palaszczuk Government continues to support the racing industry in Townsville for the 300-plus jobs it supports, its $37.8 million contribution to the local economy and the community,” he said.

“There is a strong history connecting Wulguru with the horse racing community and facilities continue to make Cluden Park a better facility now and into the future.”

Gates open to the 2yo Classic and Family Fun Day at 11am on Saturday 12 June.