The famous Hamilton Park Racecourse lies on the edge of town, just beyond the boundary of the Holyrood constituency where voters are set to elect a new MSP.
Its presence is a useful reminder that few places in Scotland are as familiar with runners and riders, favourites and outsiders.
The current political race in this former coal mining heartland of west central Scotland will decide who represents Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse in the Scottish Parliament following the death of the SNP's Christina McKelvie.
It also has wider significance.
It is the largest test of voter opinion in Scotland since the UK general election in which Labour heavily defeated the SNP.
It is also the first real opportunity to see if Reform UK's recent successes in England can give them what they call a "tartan bounce".
The outcome will help shape the political narrative in Scotland ahead of the national Holyrood election next May.
