Caulfield set to stage night racing as part of $300 million redevelopment

Caulfield is to gain a second inside turf track to be used primarily for night racing as part of a $300 million (£163m/€185.1m) redevelopment.

The Melbourne Racing Club plans also include a new grandstand as well as new horse stalls and parade rings, with work potentially beginning on the major revamp this year. Training is to cease at Caulfield in 2023 and it is expected the redevelopment could be completed by 2025.

MRC chief executive Josh Blanksby said on Wednesday the second turf track could mean Caulfield’s meetings per season could rise from around 25 to as many as 45, with Wednesday nights and the nights before public holidays identified as potential slots for evening meetings.

Blanksby told RSN's Racing Pulse on Wednesday the securing of a 65-year lease last year for racing at Caulfield meant the club could move forward with long-held redevelopment plans for the 18-hectare space that will be freed up when training ends at the site.

He said: "That secures our home at Caulfield and that means we can announce what we see as our vision of a complete redevelopment at Caulfield of all our facilities – grandstand, day stalls, mounting yard and also the exciting prospect of a second inner track at Caulfield and also lights to allow Caulfield to become a world-class entertainment facility."

The project has been well received by Racing Victoria with chief executive Giles Thompson claiming the upgrade would mean Caulfield a truly world-class racing and entertainment centre.

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