June 24, 2008

HARNESS racing legend and multiple InterDominion winner Brian Hancock has declared the opening of Menangle Park the greatest thing to happen in his time in the sport.

"I have been involved for 40 years and it might sound like a big statement, but I really think it is the best thing that will happen to harness racing in my lifetime," Hancock said.

"I've been lucky to drive horses in all parts of the world, but I think this is the best track I have seen."

Hancock has been an integral part of the rebirth of Menangle Park, which rose from a humble meeting between himself, NSW Harness Racing Club CEO John Dumesny and Rex Horne, now NSWHRC chairman, three years ago.

"We sat down and had lunch and talked about where we're at and the need for something to bring the sport back to life," Hancock said.

"I feel really proud to have been a part of that initial meeting, and to think that we're about to see it happen in reality is just amazing."

The state-of-the-art 1400m Menangle Park Paceway will be opened with seven Group One races on Sunday, with a warm-up meeting at the south-west Sydney venue today.

Dumesny is confident the opening of Menangle Park is the start of a revolution in harness racing.

"This is a new beginning for our sport and the start of something very big," Dumesny said. "It's a revolution. Harness racing people can't stop talking about it and seem to be walking that little bit higher.

"It is the first time in a long time that there has been a feeling like this in the sport."

Never before has harness racing seen anything like the monster that is Menangle Park.

It's sheer size alone casts a shadow over Harold Park as the future home of the sport in NSW.

The 1400m track is faster, safer and should have fewer hard-luck stories than the ageing Glebe circuit.

There will be no second-line draws, with 10 horses competing off the front line of the mobile.

All hospitality packages are sold out for Sunday and Dumesny is hoping to attract a crowd of more than 15,000.

While pleased to see the opening of the track, leading trainer Paul Fitzpatrick is adamant Harold Park must be sold for the venture to be a success.

"The amenities at Menangle will do but they could do with expansion and prizemoney needs to be lifted to match the state of the track, and we can't do that unless we get the money from Harold Park," he said.

The boom around Menangle Park is certain to apply pressure for the sale of Harold Park, believed to be worth upward of $150 million.

Members will vote to sell Harold Park on the last weekend in August.