By DAVID NAGEL
THE Pakenham Racing Club is about to embark on a thrilling new chapter in its long and proud history by hosting the first ever ‘Hybrid’ race meeting to be ran in Victoria.
The club’s home of the last 15 months, Racing.com Park, will this Sunday utilise the unique combination of its turf and synthetic tracks, running races on both surfaces, on the same program, for the very first time.
But the unique nature of the meeting doesn’t stop there, with three jumps races set for the turf with the remainder of the card, the flat races, to be run on the synthetic track.
PRC Chief Executive Michael Hodge said the club was delighted to give the racing public a brand new look.
“Obviously Pakenham has a long and proud history with jumps racing, but the flexibility to be able to be run a hybrid race meeting like this, the first in Victoria, is something the club is very proud of,” Hodge said.
“Hosting a hybrid meeting was a big part of the club’s long-term strategic planning, so to see it come to fruition is very satisfying for everyone involved in the club.”
This Sunday’s Super Jumps Day features the running of the club’s signature jumps race, the $50,000 MJ Bourke Hurdle (3500m), named in honour of Michael Joseph Bourke, who with his brother Hugh, originally provided, and later sold to the Pakenham Race Club, the land on which the original Pakenham Racecourse was built.
He was secretary of the Pakenham Racing Club from 1926 until ill health forced his retirement in 1949. The MJ Bourke Hurdle has played a significant part in PRC history, having been first run in 1957.
Melbourne Hunt Club will be showcasing a ‘hunt’ demonstration on the day. This will showcase hunt horses and their huntsmen along with 20 or so hounds, demonstrating the different trumpets and whistles used in a traditional ‘hunt’.
The PRC has a special Super Jumps Day Special in the Skyline Suite on the day. Tickets are $99pp and include a reserved seat at a table of 10 in the premium room, the Skyline Suite, a racebook for each guest, a lovely three-course meal and beverages for the day. Visit the website to book at www.pakenhamracing.com.au
