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By Editor in {CATEGORY} on 11 Apr 2008

Management at the Towong Turf Club says it is likely to fold in the next five years.

Towong will hold one race a year from this season because Racing Victoria has removed its second meet from the calendar. Club spokesman Brendan Comyn says the club ran over its financial situation at a meeting last night.

He says the money will run out in a few years, and they are not expecting a windfall. "I believe in Santa Claus too, but I really can't see that that's going to happen," he said.

"We've got a little bit up our sleeve, a slush-fund coffer if you like, but when that's gone I'm sure we won't be propped up by our friends down the road in Flemington.

"Telstra, electricity, power, curators, secretaries, you know all the ongoing costs just running any sort of business with only one opportunity to have a profitable day, the writing's on the wall. "I mean it's nonsensical to even consider continuing past that four or five years."

The Towong Racecourse is clearly seen from the Murray Valley highway when approaching the Towong township from Corryong. The racecourse is set within a dairy farming landscape with Mittamatite as a backdrop. The features of this place include:
- grass race track and timber railings;
- timber grandstand;
- stables, mounting yard and associated race track features;
- small tower for race calling; and
- plantings, including a small rose garden in front of the grandstand, and elm trees lining the mounting yard area.

A sign at the site says, `Flemington of the Bush, since 1871`, and the grandstand is said to date to 1888. The racecourse was used in filming the story of Phar Lap.

Source: www.abc.net.au

Read more articles in {CATEGORY}, by Editor or from April 2008.