A new car for Carmen

LOCAL woman Carmen Lancaster started her Christmas off with a bang after winning a brand new Mazda 3 Neo, valued at over $21,000, thanks to Bruce Clough Mazda and Pakenham Racing Club.
Carmen was stunned to hear Paul Clough call out her name as the winner of the vehicle at the Bruce Clough Mazda Twilight Christmas Raceday live draw.
Carmen, the owner of Queen of Grace, had entered the draw back in October when she had come to watch her horse race. Carmen received the entry when she purchased a race book for the day. At the time her family had said the odds were too great, but Carmen told them that “you have to be in it to win it” and entered anyway.
On the afternoon of the draw Carmen’s son, jockey Danny Adams, was due to ride and Carmen was going to attend with him. However, when Danny’s ride was scratched, and despite the inclement weather, Carmen told the family “I think I’ll go anyway and watch the draw for the car”.
“I never thought for a second though that it would be my name drawn out” Carmen said.
At 6pm, the crowd gathered around the Mazda 3 Neo and barrel for the draw, with Carmen among the many hopefuls. When Paul Clough drew her name, Carmen was at a complete loss for words. All she could get out in her speech was a thank you and “I really need a car”.
When the news of her win finally settled in, Carmen said: “I was so stunned, you have no idea how much we need this car. I have a very old Barina and my daughter doesn’t have a car. Now, thanks to [Pakenham Racing] Club and Bruce Clough Mazda, we’ll both have cars. It really does mean so much to us”
Paul Clough, dealer principal of Bruce Clough Mazda, was ecstatic to see the car go to such a worthy winner.
“It was so great to see someone local win the prize, and even more exciting that she was there to claim her prize, what are the chances?” he said.
“We can’t wait to sit down with Carmen and get her all set up to drive away this Christmas with her brand new Mazda 3 Neo.”
Carmen noted that Pakenham Racing Club had been quite lucky for her.
“Not only have I won this beautiful new car, Queen of Grace has won here twice as well. Although, the car is much bigger prize than any of the stakes we’ve won” she said.
Michael Hodge, CEO of Pakenham Racing Club, was excited the club could offer it’s guests such an exciting and successful promotion.
“It’s outstanding for the club to be able to offer an incentive such as the opportunity to win a new car to entice patrons on course to enjoy a great day of racing,” Mr Hodge said.
“This is one of the biggest prizes Pakenham Racing Club has ever offered, and would not have been possible without the great people of Bruce Clough Mazda and the Victorian Government Minister for Racing Denis Napthine and Raceday Attraction Program.”