Racing NSW Chief Executive Peter V'landys is confident Saturday's inaugural running of The Gong will help attract a new generation of fans to the sport.
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The experienced administrator has helped horse racing thrive in Sydney through the creation of The Everest and he has now turned his attention to the state's provincial and country areas.
V'landys pointed to last week's The Hunter as a sign The Gong will be a hit with Wollongong residents.
"The good thing about The Hunter was the many young people there," V'landys said.
"The crowd was dominated by the under 25s, which brings a new generation to racing. It's very important to bring the next generation with you, get them engaged and get them to experience how good racing is.
"Kembla's my home track, that's where I went as a kid, I'd like to see it succeed. I'd like to see it become one of Wollongong's number one events.
"It won't happen overnight, it will take some time to build it, but we're confident of a very big crowd on Saturday."
V'landys has worked closely with the Illawarra Turf Club since the race was announced in June, with the local body hoping to attract long-term fans to the sport.
The ITC sent a staff member on a fact-finding mission to Newcastle last weekend and they're confident of welcoming a large crowd on Saturday.
"The Illawarra Turf Club are always great to work with. Peter De Vries is a very passionate man, he loves horse racing, and they have younger board members who want to see racing rejuvenated in the Illawarra."
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Cameron Mee
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
