Left: The 2004 Cranbourne Pacing Cup was a tight affair from start to finish and this year’s event, to be held on Saturday night, promises to be just as competitive.By Glen Atwell
IF history is anything to go by, December is the right month for the Cranbourne Pacing Cup.
The $50,000 Group 2 event has found a comfortable home on a Saturday night in early December, according to Cranbourne Harness Racing Club chief executive Jacquie Gluck.
“This will be the third consecutive year that we’ve staged our premier meeting in the pre-Christmas time slot and the results speak for themselves,” she said.
Last year, the attendance at the Cranbourne Pacing Cup meeting grew by 50 per cent and on-course turnover increased by staggering 48 per cent.
Since the meeting was moved from its former March date, attendances have more than doubled.
Ms Gluck said the community support had been overwhelming, but the response from the harness racing industry had also been very positive.
“The profile of the race is growing all the time and the quality of the competitors we are seeing, not only in the cup, but also the support program, is testimony to the excellent reputation our club now enjoys,” she said.
The winner of this Saturday night’s feature will again be exempt from ballot for the $300,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup at Moonee Valley on December 17.
The support program is headlined by the Cranbourne Trotters’ Cup that this year enjoys Group-3 status for the first time following a stake increase from $15,000 to $20,000.
The meeting will have a distinctive Christmas party theme and Santa has already confirmed his attendance.
It has already attracted more than 1800 dining bookings and Ms Gluck said reservations were still being taken.
“It’s building up to be a huge night,” she said.
Ms Gluck said marquee-dining packages, that included course admission, a complimentary racebook, two-course Christmas dinner and all beer, wine and soft drinks for the evening, were still available.
On-course activities will have a distinctly festive theme, with Santa roaming the grounds throughout the night, with lots of free children’s entertainment, competitions and giveaways.
Providing a support show for the real horses, pony trot races and a miniature pony display will ensure plenty of horsing around for everyone.
A full-scale disco with DJ Watson kicks off immediately following the last race, allowing the good-times to continue long into the night.
The Cranbourne Harness Racing Club Pacing Cup meeting is sponsored by Decron Hoof Care, Conect Enterprises, Evison Racing Stables, Garry Rogers Nissan, G.T. and J.A. Jones Engineering, Sky Channel, Moorabbin Cabinets and Waverley Party Supplies.
