When recession threatens, or is upon us, the usual assessment of the experts is that the Border at least be able to avoid most of the discomfort.

It is because of the diversity of a community that, lacking the political punch of a swinging seat, has long had to find ways of doing it better.

Innovative industry has certainly long been a crucial part in the Border’s economy.

But there is also the plethora of jobs created by a range of government bodies – the Defence forces, health provision and administration, two universities – on top of agriculture, horticulture, the wonderful award-winning, world-renowned wine regions.

Again, diversity is a key to why Albury-Wodonga and the surrounding area is such a success story.

In recent years though another major contributor to both the region’s economic well-being and its identity has begun to play a greater, more high-profile role.

And that is the racing industry.

The region has long had racing clubs dotted throughout its bigger centres and towns – Albury, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Benalla and Towong to name a few.

These clubs all have proud histories, but it appears they are going ahead to a degree that some might underestimate. That has been made clear in a consultant’s report recently done for Country Racing Victoria.

The report, it has been said, aims to demonstrate the overall thoroughbred industry.

It is clear on any reading of this material that our North East clubs are doing it well.

This is revealed in some of the barest of facts.

For example, the 102 racehorses trained in Wodonga helped inject $2.75 million into the Wodonga economy alone, as well 29 jobs.

Twelve trainers in Wodonga, 37 in the Murray-Valley region that includes Wangaratta, just over 350 horses in the wider region.

Add that all up and its a spending tally that reaches $10.62 million and employs 109 people.

This is tremendous for the region and adds even more importance to the value of today’s Wodonga Gold Cup.