Night racing to Geelong

Geelong is set to become the second Victorian venue for night racing as part of a draft plan released by Racing Victoria Limited on Monday.

Installation of broadcast quality lights at Geelong was one of a number of initiatives floated as RVL chief executive Rob Hines and Country Racing Victoria presented a Directions Paper at the first of six information sessions held across the state this week.

RVL, as part of its Racing to 2020 blueprint for the future of Victorian racing released last month, is keen to conduct more night meetings in a bid to tap into the lucrative Asian market.

Moonee Valley is currently the only Victorian venue which can race under lights.

Other moves flagged include the building of an uphill straight synthetic training track at Ballarat racecourse and a 'regional racecourse revitalisation plan' at Horsham.

The new track at Ballarat will be the only one of its kind funded by the racing industry.

Leading trainers David Hayes and Lee Freedman have uphill training tracks at their private venues.

The plan at Horsham is part of an RVL initiative aimed at turning country racetracks that see limited racing into multi-purpose 'community racing centres'.

RVL has issued a February 7 deadline next year for feedback from stakeholders.