Tuncurry Forster Jockey Club president Garry McQuillan believes the future looks brighter than ever for the Tuncurry track now that Racing NSW is set to take ownership of it.
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The State's governing body for thoroughbred racing is set to sign off on the deeds to the member-owned track for an undisclosed amount later this month.
Mr McQuillan believes the deal will bring a myriad of benefits to both the town and the track, especially with influential power broker Peter V'Landys at the reins of Racing NSW.
The agreement will see Racing NSW take ownership of the track while Tuncurry Forster Jockey Club will continue to run it under a 99-year lease.
"Not a thing will change," Mr McQuillan said.
"The administration stays the same."
Mr McQuillan said 32 of the club's 34 voting members were in favour of the deal when it was put forward at a special general meeting, following ongoing negotiations between Mr McQuillan and Racing NSW.
I believe it'll attract more races and I believe it'll attract higher quality competition.
- Garry McQuillan
Mr McQuillan believes everyone involved in the club can see the benefits of the move.
"I haven't had one knocker yet," he said.
"Everyone I've spoken to says how good will this be for racing, how good will this be for the town."
Mr McQuillan said a significant investment in infrastructure would be made at the track following the sale, with a number of improvements already planned.
This includes the installation of more horse tie-ups, the provision of additional shade and shelter, extensions to the jockey rooms and improvements to the intersection at the entry to the course.
"It's going to be really comfortable for our patrons," Mr McQuillan said.
Mr McQuillan acknowledged that Peter V'Landys' track record with Racing NSW, and more recently the NRL, was a defining factor in the club's decision to sell the track.
"One of the most influential people going around at the moment is Peter V'Landys," he said.
"He's injected millions into racing everywhere."
Mr McQuillan believes the Tuncurry track will attract a higher standard of country racing as a result of the sale.
"I believe it'll attract more races and I believe it'll attract higher quality competition," he said.
"It'll make the track flourish in both ways."
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Established in 1980, the Tuncurry Forster Jockey Club was granted a license to conduct race meetings in October 2008, following years of hard work from multiple committees to develop the track.
Mr McQuillan was made president of the club in 2006.
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