Contact Details
Menangle Park Paceway
Racecourse Road
Menangle Park
Ph: (02) 9660 3688
Fax: (02) 9660 4848
Newsroom
WORLD CUP OFF
Reluctantly the New South Wales Harness Racing Club has withdrawn from conducting the World Cup of Harness Racing next year at Menangle Park.
The decision announced today is based primarily on the upheaval in the world financial markets.
“It is unfortunate that we will not be conducting the World Cup next year considering the momentum the event had gathered since it was announced“ NSWHRC Chief Executive John Dumesny said. more...
WORLD CUP DEFECTIONS
Big name American pacers Mister Big and Artistic Fella will not be competing in the inaugural World Cup next April.
The NSW Harness Racing Club has been advised by the connections of both pacers that they will be declining their invitations to contest the $1million event, along with the Watpac Inter Dominion, which carries a similar purse.
Mister Big, owned by millionaire Joe Muscara, is being aimed towards a lucrative campaign in North America for his six-year-old term and a shot at being the highest winning stake earner in history. A trip to Australia in 2009 would severely hamper these plans, according to Mr. Muscara. more...
MENANGLE PARK MEETING ABANDONDED
The Menangle Park meeting set down for today has been abandonded due to the un-raceable track surface.
Stewards inspected the track shortly after 9am this morning in conjunction with NSW Harness Racing Club officials.
Substantial ran fell at the track shortly after 8am this morning, triggering the stewards’ actions with a view to implementing the HRNSW Adverse Weather Policy. more...
NOMINATIONS CHANGE
VIEWING nominations on-line prior to fields being drawn up is set to become a thing of the past in New South Wales.
Harness Racing NSW earlier this week announced changes to the way race fields are selected, with trainers who nominate their horses now unable to see what other horses are to be engaged in the event. more...
GOTASHOTAWAY
TRAINER-driver and former rugby league player John McMartin would have had his week topped off nicely if his old club, the Cronulla Sharks, made it into this Sunday's NRL Grand Final.
Unfortunately, they didn't fire a shot, unlike McMartin's stable star, Gotashotaway, which saluted twice last week.
Sporting his team's colours, light blue and white halves, black band and armband with the sharks logo on his helmet, McMartin steered Gotashotaway to victory at Menangle last Tuesday week. more...
NATHAN 'RUSTY' WILSON
YOUNG New South Wales reinsman Nathan 'Rusty' Wilson left Australian shores last Saturday to join Geoff Small's team in New Zealand.
The 20-year-old has been making a name for himself not only as a driver, but a trainer also, winning races all over the State including Harold Park. more...
MAKE ME SMILE
MAKE ME SMILE will head into the Bankstown Cup full of confidence following his strong all-the-way win in the Kevin Robinson Memorial over 2160 metres at Harold Park last Friday night.
The seven-year-old was back to his best and showed he will be in prime order for Bankstown's $30,000 feature on October 11. more...
DEXTER BREAKS HIS MAIDEN
ABERCROMBIE DEXTER reached a remarkable milestone in his career when winning at Harold Park last Friday night.
The C31 assessed pacer broke his metropolitan status going close on several occasions previously.
Now under the care of New South Wales' leading mentor, Paul Fitzpatrick, the eight-year-old was not handed the race easily. more...
TOP SCRIBE CALLS TIME ON HIS CAREER
HIGHLY respected journalist Bill Ellis has called it a day.
A veteran with Sydney's Daily Telegraph for 44 years, Ellis was the chief harness racing writer at the publication up until last week, when he called time on his career.
The last of the 'golden generation' of journalists who worked through the halcyon days of the sport, Ellis leaves the Telegraph as one of the finest ambassadors for harness racing not only in the media, but as a trainer, driver, owner and breeder. more...
NATIONAL SELECTION PANEL STILL WAY OFF
THE reality of a national selection panel ultimately determining the makeup of some of our biggest races is still only a pipedream, however, is something that may be considered.
The idea of a selection panel picking the fields for races such as the World Cup, SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile, Victoria Cup and Hunter Cup, Trans-Tasman and Queensland Pacing Championship has been floated for some time but never really taken off. more...
DIVISIVE TO ADD SPICE TO BATTLE ROYALE
THREE of New South Wales' finest pacers will do battle for the second time in three weeks in this Friday night's $20,500 Wanless Wastecorp Kevin Robinson Memorial Cup over 2160 metres at Harold Park.
It will be Round Two of the Karloo Mick versus Special Albert versus Make Me Smile fight, however, there is an interesting newcomer to the race that is certain to add his share of spice - Divisive.
The Inter Dominion runner-up will have his first race start since finishing second to Blacks A Fake in the $750,000 final in March earlier this year. more...
LOW ON NUMBERS
RACE FIELDS throughout most of the country will be smaller than usual over the next month or so.
Traditionally, September is a quiet period for harness racing and sees many trainers turn out their horses for much needed breaks. Added to that is the fact most trainers use the month for their one-and-only chance for the year to get a break themselves.
This year, however, equine influenza has played its part in the lack of horse population ready to compete at the races at this time of the year. more...
HP TRACK STANDS TALL
THE Harold Park track stood up to the test of torrential rain last Friday to conduct the entire eight-race program, proving once again that it is Australia's number one wet weather surface.
Grave fears were held for the track and the future of the meeting with heavy rain falling throughout the day.
A handful of participants and Greyhound and Harness Racing Regulatory Authority stewards were more inclined to see the meeting called off, but after an inspection of the track mid-afternoon, it was deemed safe to race on. more...
EASY AS ONE, TWO, THREE!
THINGS don't always pan out the way you expect on the racetrack.
Young reinsman Ben Sarina believed he had a good book of drives heading into the Harold Park meeting last Friday night.
While he left the track with a winning treble, his 'best' drive on the program was surprisingly beaten. more...
NEW MINISTER HITS THE GROUND PACING
NEWLY appointed New South Wales Gaming and Racing Minister, Mr Kevin Greene, is out to quickly make a good impression with the industry.
Shortly after his appointment to the job last Monday, Minister Greene organised a visit to Harold Park this Friday night with NSW Harness Racing Club Chief Executive John Dumesny. more...
SUPERSTAR RETIRED
SUPERSTAR Lombo Pocket Watch has been retired.
Owner Mick Lombardo made the amazing announcement earlier this week, which will see the millionaire pacer stand at Lombardo's Concorde Park in Victoria.
Following a lengthy thought process, Lombardo has decided to give Lombo Pocket Watch the opportunity to emulate his racing feats in the breeding barn.
Close to turning the boom pacer into a sire at the end of his three-year-old season, Lombardo believes the time is right to make the switch. more...
GAVIN REIGNS SUPREME IN NSW
GAVIN Fitzpatrick has enjoyed a stellar season.
Not only did he enjoy plenty of highs with champion pacer Lombo Pocket Watch, he broke Greg Bennett's stranglehold on the NSW State Drivers premiership.
Fitzpatrick was at the head of the list with 81 winners, six clear of Bennett on 75, with brother Blake Fitzpatrick just one win further back in third.
"It is great to win the premiership," Fitzpatrick said. more...
METRO STAKE THRESHOLDS INCREASED
AN increase in the threshold for metropolitan class racing seems to have been well received by the industry and is a positive with the transfer of horse from State to State.
From last Monday, the metropolitan threshold has been set at a flexible $10,000 to $15,000, depending on each State's circumstances. more..
THIS SEASON COULD BE ONE OF THE BEST EVER
HARNESS fans could be in for a stellar treat this season.
A revamped Inter Dominion format, a World Cup with the prospect of America's finest taking on the best from the southern hemisphere, and several clashes which will bring you to the point of salivating!
The Watpac Inter Dominion will be held on the Gold Coast early next year and millionaire businessman Kevin Seymour has thrown his considerable weight behind the series. more...
Big Names A Priority
Securing the best of North America's pacing talent for the Watpac Inter Dominion and World Cup is now a priority.
New South Wales Harness Racing Club Chief Executive, John Dumesny, left for the United States last Tuesday on a "flying visit" in an attempt to lure the cream of the crop to Australia. more...
Americans in Spotlight
MISTER BIG immediately drew the attention of the World Cup spotlight with his tough victory in the $332,000 US Pacing Championship at the Meadowlands last weekend.
Stopping the clock in a rate of 1:48.4, Mister Big held off Artistic Fella in a great finish to what was one of the undercard races on Hambletonian day. more...
World Cup Americans
The prospect of America's best pacers competing in the $1million Watpac Inter Dominion and the World Cup of Harness racing at Menangle Park is another step closer to reality.
This week the owners of two of America's finest - Artistic Fella and Mister Big - assured event organisers that they are very interested in a trip down under with their star pacers. more...
For Dear Life Challenge Success
If ever a horse was suitably built for the new Menangle Park surface, it is For Dear Life.
Sleek, speedy and strong, the talented filly did what most expected her to do last Sunday at Menangle and captured the $125,000 Watpac NSW Breeders Challenge Two-Year-Old Fillies Final.
If that wasn't enough, she went 1:55.8 for the 1609 metres but looked as though she was in second gear the whole way! more...
Sue Hunter Fab Weekend
Bad barriers proved to be no problem for trainer Sue Hunter after she collected two Group Ones in the space of 48 hours over the weekend.
First off, outstanding filly Kept For Pleasure overcame barrier 11 to win the Nevele R Stud Australian Oaks at Moonee Valley last Friday night, before Captain Joy secured the Watpac NSW Breeders Challenge at Menangle from the outside of the front line.
The latter, arguably, was the more impressive of the two, as he was forced to sit three-wide for a good portion of the 1609 metre trip at the new-look Menangle Park surface. more...
For Dear Life
Astute horseman Wayne Honan has received an ideal draw with his smart youngster For Dear Life in Sunday's New South Wales Breeders' Challenge Final at Menangle.
The daughter of Life Sign, which has notable fast gate speed, has barrier two for the Group One.
Honan was quite happy to say the least. more...
Grand Opening
Without doubt the recent Grand Opening at Menangle Park was indeed a Grand Opening. The crowd was electrifying, the racing was breathtaking and everyone involved had a justified reason to slap themselves on the back.
Long before the big day, Menangle was touted as the future of harness racing not only New South Wales, but Australasia.
So far it has lived up to all expectations, with eight national records falling during the first two meetings. more...
Breeders Challenge
Trainer Matthew Harris has not had much experience winning juvenile features. In fact the only top shelf two-year-old event he can recall securing is the 2000 New South Wales Sires' Stake Fillies' Final.
The Junee Reefs mentor is hoping that will change after his classy youngster, Wrek Tangles, competes in Sunday's New South Wales Breeders' Challenge Final at Menangle. more...
Two age records have fallen at Menangle's first meeting
The new, spacious 1400-metre track had been expected to churn out fast times, and today's opening meeting didn't disappoint, with the first race on the program producing a new national mark.
Jaccka Singh's 1:58.0 mile rate over the 2300 metres set a new benchmark for two-year-olds for the distance Australia-wide. Driven by James Ponsonby and trained by Michael Teuma, the quarters were run in 30.7, 30.4, 30.4 and 29.6.
Vegas Bound, trained and driven by Darren Hancock, then smashed the Australasian mark for a mile by a three-year-old with his all-theway effort in race six. more...
The best voices gather at Menangle
The New South Wales Harness Racing Club has secured a major coup for their grand re-opening this Sunday at Menangle Park.
Not only will they get to show off their 1400-metre state-of-the-art track and its facilities with some of the best horses in Australasia, they will have the best commentators in the land to call the seven Group One races.
Local icon Kevin Thompson, who is the voice of Harold Park, has been given the majority of the responsibility on the day, including calling the main race on the 9-race card – the $100,000 SEW Eurodrive Len Smith Mile. more...
Cordina Ladyship Mile Invitations
The New South Wales Harness Racing Club today issued three further invitations to the $100,000 Group One Cordina Chicken Farms Ladyship Mile.
The three invitees - Victorian mare MESMERIZING and Queensland mares, FLEUR DE LIL and ALL PROMISES - will contest the event which will be held at the official opening of Menangle Park, on Sunday June 29.
All three mares have imposing records and are currently racing in career best form. more...
One Step Closer - World Cup vision takes a great leap forward
A HARNESS racing World Cup is another step closer to reality following the release of a preliminary race date for the event.
To be raced for $1million among the best eight horses in the world, the World Cup will be conducted on April 19 in 2009 immediately after the Watpac Inter Dominion Carnival in Brisbane.
It has also been confirmed that Menangle Park's new 1400-metre circuit and facility will play host to the inaugural World Cup of harness racing. more...
The World Cup promotional flyer can be viewed by clicking here.
Harness Racing’s Future Bright - Menangle Park Paceway Grand Opening
Harness racing’s future in New South Wales is about to get a whole lot brighter.
That was the consensus to come out of Menangle Park’s Open Day yesterday (Sunday), May 4, which was attended by approximately 2000 people.
The Open Day served its purpose by giving the industry’s participants their first look at the new-look Menangle Park facility, which is 90 per cent completed.
Without doubt the one thing people came to see was the brand new, state-of-the-art 1400-metre racing circuit, and it must be said, no one was disappointed! more...
2KY Outside Broadcast - Sunday 4th May 2008
2KY Racing Radio, the national broadcaster for the racing industry, will be broadcasting live from the new-look Menangle Park Paceway on Open Day, May 4.
The broadcast will begin at 4am with fishing program Hi-Tide, which will then roll into Hollywood and Zorba’s sports show and then into the Raceday program. more...
Open Day - Sunday 4th May 2008
Participants, NSWHRC Club members, harness racing officials and the wider community will have the chance to get their first look at the new Menangle Park facility when the NSW Harness Racing Club conducts an Open Day on Sunday, May 4.
With works on the complex almost finished, the Club is inviting anybody and everybody to inspect the Paceway with their own eyes.
Those who attend the Open Day, which commences from 11 am, will get to see horses being worked exclusively on the new 1400-metre circuit. more...
New Development of Menangle Park Paceway
Below you will find a selections of news articles published over the past four years relating to the re-development of the New South Wales Harness Racing Clubs Menangle Park site.
Menangle Park On-Track
Families, local charities and youth organisations will be central to the marketing of the Club’s grand re-opening of Menangle Park Paceway next year.
The picturesque paceway will be officially opened on Sunday 29th June and plans are well advanced to mark the occasion with all the pomp and ceremony that befits the launching of an exciting new era for NSW harness racing. more...
Members Volunteer for Menangle Park
Industry enthusiasm for the Club’s Menangle Park project continues to grow with a band of dedicated volunteers now involved in the re-development.
With the volunteer group made up of industry participants, Club Members, Board Members and staff, work has started on demolishing the interiors of the existing facilities as well as exterior fixtures such as sheds and fences. more...
Menangle Park Track Development Moves Forward
The NSW Harness Racing Club’s development application for Menangle Park was approved in December - and it’s been full steam ahead ever since. The back straight of the 1400-metre circuit is almost complete, and, at the time of writing, the Club was waiting for the Construction Certificate to be processed.
Club Deputy Chairman Rex Horne has taken a passionate interest in the Menangle project and he believes the state-of-the-art track will provide the NSW harness racing industry with a massive shot in the arm. “There have already been savings made on the project from the initial costing and this will help make Menangle an even bigger showpiece for the industry,” he said. more...
Menangle Park to Set the Standard for Future Australian Tracks
AS far as racetracks go, Deputy Chairman Rex Horne is adamant Menangle Park will become a benchmark for the Australian harness racing industry. "When Menangle Park is completed it will be the best track anywhere in Australasia," Mr Horne said.
And, if a radical plan is accepted by the industry, Menangle's reputation could easily spread to a global scale. The NSWHRC is considering a proposal to use International style race gigs on the 1400-metre circuit.
"If we have the best track, then there's no reason why we shouldn't have the fastest track," Mr Horne said. "If it means the club has to spend $50,000 to supply these carts then so be it. more...
Menangle Park Track to go to Councillors
Plans for the Club's Menangle Park track development are on the verge of being presented to a full meeting of Campbelltown City Council. "The plans have been with Council for some time and so far no objections have been received," Vice President Rex Horne said.
"We are expecting everything to be put forward to Council at the end of August. This is a fantastic outcome for the development because it shows how important the benefits a state of the art harness racing facility will be to the region." more...
DA Lodged for Menangle Park Track
A new track for the NSW Harness Racing Club's Menangle Park Paceway has taken its most important step towards becoming a reality.
A Development Application was lodged with Campbelltown City Council, setting the wheels in motion for one of the most eagerly awaited projects in the NSW harness racing industry. more...
Menangle Park Track Progress
The new track based on the design of the internationally acclaimed Mohawk Raceway in Canada will usher in a new era for the NSW Harness Racing Club's Menangle Park complex.
In what will be the first stage of a major redevelopment for Menangle, the new track will be 1400 metres in circumference and will accommodate 10 horses all starting from a front row.
NSWHRC Vice President Rex Horne believes the new track will be the envy of Australian harness racing. more...
Menangle Park Makeover
Menangle Park plans for permanent stabling and a 1400-metre racetrack are continuing and well advanced. The Club has engaged the services of architect Chris Dunkerly to design plans for the first stage of stabling accommodation.
"Campbelltown Council staff were receptive to the club's plans for Menangle Park when I met with them recently and Council now await a Development Application," Chief Executive John Dumesny said. more...
Go Ahead for 1400m Race Track at Menangle Park
The NSW Harness Racing Club will go where no other metropolitan Australian harness racing has gone before by installing a 1400m racetrack as part of an ambitious redevelopment of its Menangle Park Complex. more...
Menangle Park Forum Paves Way for 1400m Track
The Industry Forum at Menangle Park has been hailed it as a step in the right direction in the development of a larger track at the Paceway.
The general consensus at the forum was crystal clear – the harness racing industry in New South Wales is in anxious need of a larger track and, Menangle Park is where it should be established. more...
Track Guru Returns as Plans Take Shape at Menangle Park
Dan Coon, the United States track designer who turned Harold Park into one of the best half mile circuits in the world, will be a key figure in the anticipated expansion of the Menangle Park Track. more...
Menangle Park Plan Remains a Priority
A redevelopment of Menangle Park into a first-class training and racing centre is still very much at the forefront of future plans for the NSW Harness Racing Club.
As members would be able to appreciate, there is much red tape to sort through with various government departments before the plan can become a reality. more...
Menangle Park Training Centre
There has been significant progress made on the viability of making the Club's Menangle Park Paceway into a training centre.
A quantity surveyor engaged by the Club is currently completing costings for the project and once the figures are available the Board and Management will then develop a full business plan. more...