By BRIDGET SCOTT
THE Cranbourne Racing Club is going through one of its most exciting times with the unveiling of a $4 million grandstand earlier this week, and a potential group one winner on Saturday.
Premier and Minister for Racing Denis Napthine visited the Cranbourne Racing Centre on Monday to officially open the new stand.
He also announced new training stables for the Cranbourne training centre.
The 400 seat function centre will become a major destination in Cranbourne, and events that would previously have been held out of the City of Casey can now take place in this new facility.
The grandstand was opened just in time for the Cranbourne Cup this Sunday and the Spring Carnival, which is now underway.
Members of the Cranbourne Racing Club will hold their breath on Saturday, with local trainer Ken Keys to start horse Rich Enuff in the main race at Caulfield on the weekend.
Mr Keys has trained at Cranbourne for 25 years and said he has “had a bit of luck along the way”.
Mr Keys said he is most excited about the “potential and opportunity this Saturday” to win his first group one race.
Mr Keys wasn’t present at the official opening of the new grandstand on Monday however other prominent trainers from the area went along.
Dr Napthine referred to Cranbourne as one “greatest training centres” and said it was a leader in its field.
“It continues to drive winner after winner after winner,” he said.
“Cranbourne has developed itself as a great training centre.”
The training centre is the largest employer in the area and Mr Napthine said the new facility will not only benefit the three racing codes at Cranbourne, but the wider Casey community.
“It will provide the best meeting area in the whole of Cranbourne,” he said.
“It will be the venue of choice in the south-east and in Cranbourne,” he said.
Chief executive officer of the Cranbourne Turf Club Neil Bainbridge said the grandstand has been “many years of hard work”.
“It’s a great reward for the committee,” he said.
“The first class facility will give racing a boost.”
Mr Bainbridge, who described it as something “long needed”, agreed that it will benefit the wider community as well as the racing club.
He also welcomed the announcement of new on-course training centres.
“There has been significant investment and growth in Cranbourne in a short period of time,” he said.
The training stables will consist of four new stable blocks, with tie-up stalls, direct access to the track and more.
Mr Bainbridge also wished trainer Ken Keys best of luck on the weekend and said it was an exciting time for everyone involved.
“It’s a dream to have the next star of the turf,” he said.
“It gives all trainers a lift, and gives the brand and profile of the training centre a great boost.”
For more on Sundays the Cranbourne cup field see the sport pages.
