Horse racing in the Illawarra is set to receive a long-term boost, with Racing NSW continuing to invest in the region.
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The governing body has spent the past few months buying up land around Kembla Grange, with a number of purchases recorded.
The Mercury understands there are plans to develop new training facilities, with the hope some of Sydney's top stables will relocate to the track.
The move has been welcomed by many of the region's trainers, with Luke Price confident it will increase the quality of racehorses in the Illawarra.
"Without a doubt, it's a great idea," Price said. "If we can get more trainers to the area, we can make it a real racing community.
"It would be great if they can make it a state of the art training complex.
"We can all work together, a bit of friendly competition will be good. They might have to do a little bit of work with the track before we get the trainers in, but it would be great to get a few Sydney trainers move down here."
Racing NSW, led by chief executive and Wollongong product Peter V'landys, has shown a renewed focus on provincial racing in the past few years.
New $1 million races were established in Newcastle and Wollongong, Kembla Grange to host the second running of The Gong on Saturday afternoon.
Upgrades to the Illawarra track have long been in the pipeline, with Racing NSW contributing funding towards the artificial polytrack that opened last year.
Up next are upgrades to the B-track and the course proper.
The work will include improvements to drainage at Kembla Grange, a vital move that will reduce the number of meetings washed out.
Trainers were also left frustrated during winter when multiple barrier trials were cancelled due to rain.
The Illawarra Turf Club has welcomed Racing NSW's continued investment in racing in the region.