WATCH: New Taree Track Gets Tick Of Approval

THE countdown is on to the first race meeting at the new and improved Taree following the $6 million redevelopment of the mid north coast circuit.

On Tuesday morning a second set of trials were conducted successfully ahead of the first race meeting which is slated for Saturday, September 14.

Club manager Peter Cassar said the new facility, which was funded by Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) to the tune of $6 million, has received high praise from trainers in its infancy.

"GWIC will have their final inspection on Friday and after we get that sign off we are set to commence racing on Saturday week," Cassar said.

"The surface has come to hand fantastic and the trials we've had have been really clean.

"We've had a couple of small issues with the catching pen gates being automated with one operator but we are on top of that now.

"All the feedback has been extremely positive and we are just looking forward to getting back to racing.

"There's been a few bumps along the way but the main thing is that participants in the region now have the state of the art track they deserve.

“It will no doubt instill a lot of confidence in the industry in the region.”

Racing at the new Taree track will be staged over 300m, 400m and 525m under the control of the Mid North Coast Racing Club which includes representatives from Taree, Wauchope and Kempsey.

Another to sing the praises of the track is Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) interim CEO Wayne Billett.

"We couldn't be happier with how it's come together," Billett said.

"The participants, particularly on the mid north coast, have been very patient in waiting for this project to come to life and now we are there and they have something to be proud of.

"The mid north coast is the last region that GRNSW really needed to solidify with TAB racing and I'm sure Taree will quickly become a destination for travelling trainers as well. 

"The feedback has been fantastic and I'm looking forward to getting there on Friday with GWIC to get the final sign off."

Taree will stage upwards of 80 race meetings annually with the Saturday morning time slot complimented by Wednesday night racing. 

In a first, both the catching pen and return gates are controlled automatically by one user, negating the need for people on the track.

The surface also has water sensors built in, allowing officials to better gauge the condition of the track, getting a guide on its water content and sand profile in real time.