Racing Victoria announced the project on Thursday morning.

The new circuit will complement an existing grass racing surface at Sportsbet-Ballarat.

Ballarat will be the third synthetic track developed in Victoria – following Geelong and Pakenham.

The project is set down for next year.

FEBRUARY 1: Ballarat Turf Club has launched a bid to become the state’s newest synthetic racing venue, with plans to construct a new track that would cost in the vicinity of $9 million.

The club is awaiting the findings of Racing Victoria’s synthetic racing review, which are expected to determine if its submission is successful.

Plans seen by The Courier show a proposed all-weather circuit spanning just over 1900m that would replace the club’s current inner grass track. The outer turf track would remain, giving the club the option of racing on both synthetic and grass surfaces throughout the year.

A key part to the BTC’s push for a new track is its proximity to most major training centres in the state.

On top of race days, the facility would also be used extensively for training and help ease the strain on the club’s current resources that have been stretched due to the surge in horse population.

BTC figures show that the amount of horses trained at the complex has risen from 300 to 530 in the last four years. This is largely due to an influx of trainers moving to the area.

“We are now at a point where we are struggling to meet the demand for trackwork surfaces each morning, particularly in the wetter months,” Ballarat Turf Club chief executive Lachlan McKenzie said.

“If our bid to install a synthetic track is successful, the issue of capacity for trackwork will be resolved immediately and the growth in trainers and horse numbers in Ballarat will continue to flourish.”

With a synthetic track, McKenzie said the club could accommodate more than 40 race meetings per season, regardless of weather conditions.

“The installation of a synthetic racecourse would be a watershed moment for the Ballarat Turf Club,” he told The Courier.

“This would be one of the pivotal developments in the club’s history and would cement Ballarat as one of the leading racing and training centres.”

The all-weather surfaces mimic turf tracks, but are less responsive to the climate.

Pakenham and Geelong are the current synthetic racing venues in Victoria.