Sunday 15.08.2010
An annual race day that has become one of Victorian country racing’s largest growth events has been recognised for the first time, with the Pakenham Gazette Oaks Day at Pakenham Event finally shaking its bridesmaid tag and taking out the Camp Australia Victorian Country Racing Event of Year.
On the back of continued growth, Pakenham’s Oaks Day race day edged out fellow finalists – Sale Cup Day, Swan Hill Cup Carnival and Warrnambool Carnival – with the award presented at the Country Racing Awards today at Sandown Racecourse.
Accepting the award was Club president Don Duffy, who took pride in this year being the winner after the Club being a finalist in previous years. It is a sign that the industry recognises what we here at the club believe, that we are going in the right direction.
“This achievement is fabulous recognition of the hard work undertaken by everybody involved at the Club, from the committee and management to the volunteers,” Duffy said.
Pakenham Racing Club has continued to attract record crowds over the past few years, which has exceeded expectations. This is still a relatively new event however has experienced large growth, particularly in the package sales.
“One of the reasons thousands of people attend a day at the races at Pakenham on Oaks Day is because the day provides everything a race meeting should – the people, the horses, the community, the direct transport options and above all, having a great day out,” Pakenham Racing Club CEO Michael Hodge said.
Country Racing Victoria Chief Executive Officer Scott Whiteman congratulated Pakenham Racing Club for the sustained success of this race day, which attracts people from throughout metropolitan and country Victoria.
“Pakenham Gazette Pakenham Oaks Day race day is a prime example of what can be achieved by country racing clubs when the Club and local community are prepared to embrace racing events as local icons,” Whiteman said.
For more information contact:
Darren Galley Marketing and Business Development Manager 0438 537 152