AS the Pakenham Racing Club’s plans for a new $40 million state-of-the-art race course near Nar Nar Goon take shape, pollies are jumping on board the project.

This week, Bass MP Ken Smith and Opposition Minister for Racing Denis Napthine visited the site where the new race course will be built.

The new course will host 30 race meetings in its first season at the “New Pakenham” racecourse – the first track to be built in Victoria since Bairnsdale in the early ’70s.

The 570-acre site will include a 2300-metre grass track, a large grandstand and much needed training facilities as well as housing for jockeys and trainers.

“It’s really good to be able to see the site rather than just on plans.” Mr Smith said.

Dr Napthine said the new course was an exciting opportunity for racing.

“Pakenham at the moment is a bit tight, this new course will give us the room we need,” he said.

“And the fact is that the need for training centres is growing, Cranbourne is chockas, and the push from Caulfield means Pakenham will be the place to be.”

Dr Napthine said the new facility could provide up to 1000 jobs in the local economy and would provide local businesses with a boost in trade.

“I strongly support it, as does the Liberal Nationals Coalition,” he said.

“I urge the government also back this project and if there is a change of power after the election we will be riding it all the way to the finish line.”