Political developments could give the opportunity for the thoroughbred and harness industries to combine to produce a super dual code racing site and function centre on the site of the current Gawler racecourse on Adelaide Road.

Everyone knows the future of the Gawler Harness Racing club as a racing entity is under threat because of the state government’s decision to run the proposed Northern Expressway through their property at Weaver Road.

The immediate task of the club’s committee is to obtain land to enable the more-than-20 trainers in the area to continue to work their horses at a suitable venue.

But just as important, for the future of the sport in Gawler, is that the committees of the Harness Racing Club and Thoroughbred Racing Club must work together to overcome all obstacles to ensure a dual code venue is developed.

Dual code racing and harness sites have worked interstate with Kilmore, Cranbourne, Yarra Valley and Moonee Valley in Victoria perfect examples.

But what is not so well known is that developments in thoroughbred racing in Adelaide could provide a windfall for the Gawler and Barossa Jockey Club.

The South Australian Jockey Club has sold the Cheltenham racecourse for a reported $85-plus million.

The club now has a decision to make regarding the Victoria Park racecourse.

With the Adelaide City Council refusing to allow the multi-purpose grandstand to be built and the SA government deciding to go with a temporary grandstand for the V-8 car racing each March, the SA Jockey Club has a decision to make.

Does it spend $20 million from the sale of Cheltenham to make Victoria Park, a property they don’t own, suitable for racing or do they put their money into building an all-weather track on the inside of their showpiece track at Morphettville?

Which means the thoroughbred industry would walk away from Victoria Park.

It would not be feasible to conduct racing 52 weeks-a-year at Morphettville and the perfect solution is to develop another track to be an alternative venue for Saturday racing.

That is why Gawler, virtually an outer Adelaide suburb and a former Saturday racing venue, is the ideal location.

Make no mistake, the recent urban growth announcement making land available around Gawler will be a key in saying yes to such a development.

The controlling body of SA thoroughbred racing and the Gawler Jockey Club committee now must work together to find the money to redevelop the racecourse plus upgrade the facilities. And the harness club should also become involved.