Richest harness race win for Bunbury

Upgrades to facilities and the biggest crowd ever potentially await the Bunbury Trotting Club when it hosts the world's richest harness pacing race series.

A heat for the $1.8 million Inter Dominion Championship will be held at the South West's premier trotting track on Tuesday, December 1, ahead of the $1.3 million grand final at Gloucester Park in Perth on Sunday, December 13.

The news comes just months after the Donaldson Park track was chosen as one of two venues to host Gloucester Park races while WA's biggest trotting venue undergoes track renovations.

The series - first held in 1936 at Gloucester Park - was most recently held in Perth in 2012.

Racing and Gaming Minister Colin Holt last week announced Bunbury for the 2015 schedule and the club has since applied for funding to improve facilities for the meet.

Club general manager Julie Caldwell said possible upgrades included renovations to the viewing balcony and open undercover area and a new-look entrance.

Caldwell said the upgrades would be worth about $1 million and would ensure facilities were in pristine condition for the big meet.

"We do not need a whole lot done - the front just needs a tidy-up and a few bits and pieces need polishing," she said.

Caldwell hoped people in the region would get behind the race, which she believed could put the region on the harness racing map.

South West harness racing trainer Kim Prentice - who won the Inter Dominion in 2003 in Christchurch, New Zealand, with his horse Baltic Eagle - said having the race in the region was "massive".

"It is a big thing for harness racing in the State and in Bunbury," he said.

"Hopefully they will put on a good program. It should be a massive night."

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said it was fitting a club with such a proud history and a track of international standard hosted a heat for the prestigious pacing event.

"It reflects the vision of the late Dr Ernie Manea, a pacing icon and former international president of harness racing, to hold such high-profile events at Donaldson Park," he said.

"It is also a reward for the courage and commitment of current and past Bunbury Trotting Club members. Bunbury is an important sporting hub and this is yet another significant event that will bring economic and cultural benefits to the city and the region."

Mr Holt said that along with a substantial television audience, more than 32,000 people were expected to attend the two-week series' four race meets, along with more than 3000 interstate and international trainers and owners.