Racing Victoria adds Thursday night racing



Victoria's newest race track at Pakenham will host 16 Thursday night meetings during the 2015-16 race season beginning in January.

The Victorian State Government announced a $5 million funding boost on Thursday to help with the installation of a $12 million track lighting system at Pakenham that will commence in June.

The night meetings will be held on both the turf and synthetic tracks, with nine of the 16 to be held on turf.

Racing Victoria said it was expected the number of night meetings held at Pakenham's Racing.com Park would be as many as 28 by the 2016-17 season.

Country Racing Victoria Chief Executive Scott Whiteman said the expansion of night racing to a second country racecourse would drive all-important wagering growth and be of benefit to all industry participants.

"Racing.com Park's ability to host racing year-round on both turf and synthetic surfaces at a purpose built venue which also has access to the large horse population east of Melbourne means it was a natural choice for Victoria's third night racing venue," Whiteman said.

Racing.com Park held its first meeting on March 26 this year on the turf track with the first meeting on the synthetic surface programmed for May 26.