LOCALS and holidaymakers are spoilt for choices in Victoria this festive season with 32 thoroughbred race meetings programmed across the state.
There are three metropolitan meetings, 23 country meetings and six picnic meetings on offer from Boxing Day, 26 December until Sunday, 3 January.
Those in attendance will enjoy an array of on-course promotions and entertainment, a family friendly atmosphere and great racing action at an affordable price.
Boxing Day will play host to eight meetings headlined by the metropolitan fixture at Caulfield, where the TAB is offering punters an enticing $500,000 BIG6 jackpot.
Geelong and Wodonga headline the country meetings programmed on this day with crowds of over 5000 expected at each, whilst the Nhill and Penshurst Cup meetings in the state’s west are also certain to attract healthy crowds.
Also featuring on Boxing Day is the Drouin Cup which heralds a busy picnic racing schedule with meetings to follow at Woolamai (27 December), Mansfield (28 December), Merton (New Years Day), Dederang (2 January) and Balnarring (3 January).
Flemington spearheads the eight meetings to be held on New Year’s Day with the $200,000 Standish Handicap (1200m) and $150,000 Bagot Handicap (2800m) its feature events.
The traditional Hanging Rock meeting will again prove a popular destination with over 5000 people expected to attend despite the meeting’s non-TAB status.
Other feature meetings across the festive season include;
• Sunday, 27 December – Mornington (Ron Casey Memorial)
• Monday, 28 December – Bendigo (Showcase Raceday)
• Saturday, 2 January – Moonee Valley (Metropolitan Raceday)
• Saturday, 2 January – Geelong (Showcase Raceday)
• Sunday, 3 January – Cranbourne & Bairnsdale (Super VOBIS Super Days)
Acting Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) Chief Executive, Paul Bittar, said the festive season presents a great opportunity for people to experience racing.
“This is a fantastic time for families and friends to enjoy a day at the races and the public is spoilt for choice with 32 meetings programmed across just nine days,” he said.
“From the metropolitan fixtures to the grass roots picnic meetings there’s something for everyone and we’re encouraging people to spice up their holidays with a trip to the races.”
Country Racing Victoria (CRV) Marketing Manager, Darren Galley, said big holiday crowds are expected at a number of meetings.
“We’re expecting around 25,000 people to attend the seven country meetings on Boxing Day and a further 20,000 the seven country meetings on New Year’s Day,” he said.
“Each of the country and picnic clubs have assembled a great entertainment offering amidst a relaxed atmosphere so attendees will enjoy the experience.”
For a full list of meetings programmed in Victoria visit www.racingvictoria.net.au and for more country raceday information visit www.countryracing.com.au.
RACING VICTORIA MEDIA RELEASE
Contact:: Shaun Kelly – RVL Communications Manager M: 0417 145 796 P: (03) 9258 4252
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