By Hayley Wildes
The Pakenham Racing Club is riding a wave of momentum and the announcement that this year’s Pakenham Cup day will offer a record $1 million in prize money further strengthens the club’s standing among the premier country racing clubs in the state.
Pakenham Racing Club CEO Michael Hodge spoke about how the relocation to Tynong has given the club new life and new opportunities to host marquee events.
“It’s an enormous achievement and something that has been a big part of the original vision from when we relocated from the old Pakenham racecourse,” he said.
“This type of result could never have happened at the old Pakenham racecourse and really it’s come about because of our ability to secure a metropolitan Saturday Cup.”
All eyes will be on the Pakenham Racing Club on Saturday, 8 December as the club hosts the only metropolitan race meet in the state on that day.
“When you’re the main show on the Saturday, that’s always been the catalyst for us to showcase the best of racing here at Pakenham and we do that via our Pakenham Cup,” he said.
With $300,000 prizemoney on offer in the 2018 Pakenham Cup – up from $250,000 last year – the best horses, trainers and jockeys will head to Pakenham.
Along with the headline race boasting record prize-money, the VOBIS Gold Bullion also sees a major increase, jumping 25 per cent to $150,000.
After a record 8,000 people streamed through the gates in 2017, Hodge is expecting that number to again increase this year.
“We’re looking to grow that number each year, so this year we’re looking to grow to 10,000 and that is on the back of a great day out,” he said.
“It’s not just a great day on the race track, but also off the race track for the thousands of local community members and visitors that attend on Pakenham Cup Day.”
Pakenham is one of only three country clubs, along with Bendigo and Ballarat, to host a metropolitan Saturday race meet.
“It vindicates that Pakenham’s facilities are that good that the racing industry vests in Pakenham the opportunity to run a metropolitan Saturday,” he said.
“There’s only two other country clubs that are afforded that privilege and, by that statistic alone, it does rate the Pakenham facility at metropolitan standard and far above other country clubs in Victoria.
“Pakenham is at the front and centre.”
For more information regarding Pakenham Cup Day, head to www.pakenhamracing.com.au.
