PAKENHAM launched into the Spring Racing Carnival in fine style with its big Evergreen Turf Guineas Day race meeting on Saturday.
A big crowd turned out for the official launch of the spring racing season, coinciding with the running of the Caulfield Guineas.
The crowd was swelled by members of sporting clubs vying for the Star News Group Champion Team title, which was taken out by the Gembrook Football Club (see sport for the full details).
Pakenham Racing Club chief executive Michael Hodge was thrilled with the response and said the club would again figure prominently in the carnival action.
The club races again this Monday for the annual Members Day meeting, where all club members and their guests are invited to a members-only reception, where complimentary beverages and afternoon tea will be provided.
The club also races on Tuesday 29 October for its Relocation Raceday, recognizing those involved with the move from the current racecourse to a new state-of-the-art venue at Tynong by the end of next year.
Then it is on to the main spring feature, the popular Pakenham Gazette Oaks Day meeting on Thursday 7 November.
This meeting, held in the heart of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, is arguably the most popular meeting of the year.
It always attracts a bumper crowd and the club expects this year to be no exception.
After that, attention turns to the big Centrebet Christmas Raceday on Friday 29 November, before the Cardinia Shire Kids Raceday on Saturday 11 January.
Then on Sunday 9 February the club hosts its last meeting on the current racecourse, the 2014 Pakenham Cup, before moving to a world class new venue at Tynong.
The club has big plans to farewell the old racecourse in fine style.
