Night racing on the Gold Coast will finally become a formality under a new infrastructure plan designed to take racing in Queensland out of the doldrums.
The Gold Coast Turf Club track, only minutes from the beach and with skyscrapers as a majestic backdrop, has been crying out for lights for many years.
It is a no brainer to have night racing on the coast, especially during the hot summer months to take advantage of tourist crowds and younger audiences.
The Magic Millions carnival will become more popular under high-class lights which will be constructed in the next two years as part of a new Racing Queensland $200m infrastructure plan.
There is also the potential for a tunnel for in-field parking to allow commercial development.
Racing Queensland is also proposing a couple of new venues for greyhound racing in south-east Queensland although the sites are yet to be finalised.
The future of the Albion Park harness racing venue is not clear.
Racing Queensland is hoping the infrastructure fund, which also allocates money to projects such as the Ipswich Turf Club redevelopment, will help stimulate the state's racing industry.
Queensland racing has had a serious of headaches over the past few years including prizemoney slashes and the closure of the state's premier track Eagle Farm on two occasions.
