The promise of the Pacific Highway Upgrade, a tie-up with the Coast’s famed Chef Daniel and a strategy to bolster its entertainment offering is combining to usher in a new era for Wyong Race Club.
The owners of the Club, which runs as a not-for-profit, have used the downtime thrust upon them by COVID to reformulate a business plan that will see it become the Upper Central Coast’s destination for large-scale functions and events.
Kicking off that revitalisation has been the hiring of the Coast’s favourite Chef, Chef Daniel, who is widely known for his Channel 10 appearances and his much-loved At Baker Street restaurant in Gosford, as well as his outdoor pop-up, Fork’N’Knife that has become something of a local institution.
Wyong Race Club General Manager Robin Taylor has been with the Club for three years and said he is building on the momentum of his predecessor David Jewell, who instigated the build of an equine pool and installed a synthetic, ‘polytrack’ for race training which will allow the Club to increase the number of horses in work over time.
“These were really significant developments for the Club, but coming out of COVID we knew we had to look at ways to diversify the business and concentrate on the other excellent non-racing opportunities we have here,” he said.
Chef Daniel’s role goes beyond that of a menu relaunch.
“Daniel brings many things to us as a Club, not just his expertise in dining.
“He will work with us on repositioning our entertainment offering and market us to the ever-changing, and ever-growing community around us,” he said.
Wyong Race Club is already a driver of significant economic activity for Wyong and the Central Coast, including its training facilities that are home to 200 thoroughbred horses at any given time.
Taylor said that many Wyong businesses such as Wyong Race Club have been hamstrung by the limitations of the current Pacific Highway layout and associated congestion issues and that he welcomes this week’s announcement that the long-awaited Pacific Highway upgrade will start next year
Taylor said that the upgrade reaffirms the Club’s intention to develop its existing stabling facilities, plus other equine facilities, off the back of improved accessibility to Sydney and other provincial racing venues.
“It is a gamechanger for the whole area not just for the Club.
“Once completed, Wyong and its surrounds will be far more accessible and attractive, creating opportunities for local businesses to realise their true potential.
“We would look to host large events and everyday functions by leveraging nearby newly-constructed accommodation and unrivalled access to public transport options,” he said.
Part of the highway upgrade will include the construction of a new railway line bridge that will bring other transport connections – buses, taxis and a new commuter carpark – right outside the front door of the Club, bringing with it a whole new level of visibility.
Taylor explains that the future of the Club is bright, even though Wyong’s vulnerability in the face of floods is an ongoing challenge.
Only last Saturday (March 26), the Club was forced to cancel its Saturday meeting because of excess water around the track.
He points to the growth of invasive species, Cockspur Coral Tree, as one of the key reasons that the area continues to flood, as its ‘rampant’ growth hinders the natural flow of water through the wetlands.
“As far as we can tell, the tree arrived about 20 or 30 years ago and its growth has affected the way water flows through that area,” Taylor said.
“It means that the area does not have the same ability to handle large amounts of water, and because of this it flows to the racecourse, and across the golf courses that are nearby.
“After the last floods, Tuggerah Lake had returned to normal levels, while here at the racetrack we were still dealing with issues of excess water around the edge of the track.
Taylor said the club hopes to find a workable outcome soon, particularly in light of the news of the Highway upgrade and the work the club is investing in the future of its business.
“Putting the rains aside, we know there is a bright future here at Wyong and we look forward to growing our ties with the community and local businesses as we all benefit from the increased connections the upgrade will bring us.”
Nicola Riches