Media Releases

State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell and the Shepparton Harness Racing Club have welcomed funding for a new mobile barrier as part of a quarter million dollar investment by the Victorian Coalition Government.

Mrs Powell said the Coalition Government and Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) have joined forces to upgrade the mobile barrier used at Kialla Raceway.

“The Shepparton Harness Racing Club is one of Victoria’s leading provincial harness racing clubs, hosting 38 race meetings for the region, including the Group Two Shepparton Gold Pacing Cup at the Kialla Raceway,” Mrs Powell said.

“It is crucial that its mobile barrier is upgraded for the coming season to ensure the integrity of its race starts and assist dozens of the region’s trainers in the trialling and education of their horses.

“This joint funding of $40,000 will upgrade the Club’s equipment to a new computerised mobile barrier to hold seven starters on the front row, with features including automated gate release and warning lights and sirens for a consistent start

“I applaud the decision by the Minister for Racing Dennis Napthine to support the local racing industry,” Mrs Powell said.

“This funding will provide an upgrade of crucial machinery to ensure that these tracks are of a high standard for race days,” Dr Napthine said.

“A well maintained and consistent racing surface helps ensure the welfare and safety of horses, drivers and trainers and is best achieved by using the most up-to-date equipment,” Dr Napthine said.
Shepparton Harness Racing Club President, Chris Hazelman has welcomed the announcement saying, "this funding will provide great opportunities for growing Kialla Raceway as a one of Victoria's major training venues.

“This equipment will provide an improved and more professional service to those trainers who are trialling their horses," Mr Hazelman said.

Harness Racing Victoria CEO John Anderson said, “the continued investment in harness racing by the Victorian State Government is welcomed by the industry.

“This funding will assist clubs to upgrade equipment, complementing the commitment that HRV has made to its infrastructure,” Mr Anderson said.

Harness racing is a major contributor to Victoria’s racing economy, with 25 professional harness racing clubs conducting more than 500 race meets last year, resulting in a total of nearly $34-million distributed in prize money.

Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell, has received a response from the Office of Gaming and Racing regarding her inquiry about delays in the return of racing to the Shepparton Harness Track
Mrs Powell said her inquiry had been forwarded to Mr Ken Latta, Chairman of Harness Racing Victoria for him to respond as the responsible person for harness racing in Victoria.
“I wrote to the Minister for Racing in June after I had been contacted by members of the Shepparton Harness Racing Club concerned about the delays in the return of racing to the Shepparton track.
“The track and some infrastructure were damaged during the wild storm that struck parts of Shepparton and Kialla in March,” Mrs Powell said.
“I was advised by club members that in March Shepparton Harness Racing Club race meetings had been transferred to Melton and Echuca and that trials had only just resumed at Shepparton.
“The members were concerned as they had not ‘been kept informed as to the progress, if any, as to when racing will return to Shepparton’ and were concerned of ‘other agendas being the priority’.
“I informed the Minister that local trainers are suffering financial hardship as they have to travel further to race, and the general community is suffering with out the interest and employment opportunities.
“I urged the Minister to inquire into the progress of works at the Shepparton Harness racing track and look forward to a response.
“Hopefully Mr Latta’s response will include a clear timeframe as to when race meetings will return to the Shepparton track,” Mrs Powell said.