What was once the hub for horse lovers taking a punt to win the big bucks at Hamilton's racecourse will be burnt to the ground this week.

Weather permitting, the former Totalisator building on the racecourse grounds at Te Rapa will go up in smoke in a training exercise for Hamilton's fire crews tomorrow. 

Built in the 1940s, the building, which is in near original condition, was once used by up to 15,000 people at any given race meet. 

In its 1970s heyday, punters would finger pick their horses at the front, while the lucky ones collected their winnings at the back. 

But in recent years, as the racing industry faces a decline in attendance, the building has sat empty. 

Waikato Racing Club general manager Ken Rutherford said the club explored all options including removal and sale of the building, now worth nothing but the land it's on. 

"It hasn't been in operation for about 20 years," Rutherford said. 

"We're looking to redevelop that area out the back and add value going forward - to liven it up . . . at the end of the day, that land has negligible value with the building on top." 

The building was offered to Hamilton's fire crews as a live training exercise - the first opportunity of its kind in Hamilton City. 

Expect to see a stream of thick smoke on Thursday as it goes up in flames, fire crews warn. 

Pukete brigade station officer Shane Thompson said the boomerang-shaped building will be burnt down in two parts. 

Fire crews will light a series of small fires inside the building and observe how they burn. 

"We normally turn up and need to put the fire out as soon as possible, whereas using buildings, we can sit and observe the fire, practise the latest extinguishing techniques." 

"We do use buildings for live fire training but we haven't had any opportunities like this for a long time." 

This was an invaluable experience for fire crews to observe fire phenomena such as flashovers and backdraughts, he said. 

Safety instructors with a hose will be inside, on hand, at all times. 

"Conditions inside the fire cell will be as close to real life as can be expected, with firefighters exposed to high heat and low visibility conditions." 

Crews from Hamilton's central, Pukete and Chartwell brigades will practise fire control and extinguishing techniques, forced entry and search and rescue. 

After training is complete, Thompson said the remaining building will be left to burn to the ground. 

"In the morning you will see small amounts of smoke but in the afternoon, from 2.30-5pm, when the building is let go, then there will be significant smoke." 

Businesses and home owners in the immediate area have been notified, Thompson said, and wind direction and smoke conditions will be monitored throughout. 

He urged people not to come to watch as access to the racecourse will be restricted. 

About 16 firefighters will be involved in Thursday's exercise, along with Hamilton City Council's building unit staff.