Racegoers at Sydney’s biggest meeting of the summer will have first dibs on enjoying Randwick’s newest facility following the unveiling of the WINX Stand.
The Australian Turf Club and Racing NSW officially opened the grandstand on Thursday and it will be accessible to all general admission ticket holders for the Villiers Stakes meeting at headquarters on Saturday week.
Named in honour of Chris Waller’s champion racemare who posted some of her biggest wins at Randwick, the two-level grandstand cost more than $46 million to build but is expected to deliver NSW $150 million annually in economic benefits.
Racing NSW chairman Russell Balding AO said it was fitting that the WINX Stand would be accessible to the general public and not just exclusive to ATC members.
“Winx brought many new fans to racing. We now need to accommodate them in world-class facilities. This goal has now been achieved,” Balding said.
“The most pleasing aspect is the WINX Stand is exclusively for the public.”
Able to accommodate up to 7500 patrons, the stand includes an outdoor terrace and bar named in honour of one of Winx’s regular sparring partners, Happy Clapper, and boasts picturesque views over the track.
With 5000sqm of space, it will also be available as a venue for meetings, conferences, exhibitions and events outside of race days.
The WINX Stand is already proving as popular as the horse it is named after and is fully booked for the next month.
