New-look Geelong Cup earns club a tilt at racing’s event of year award

GEELONG Racing Club has been rewarded for its decision to revamp its cup meeting, earning a nomination for Country Racing Victoria’s event of the year.

October’s Cup saw a strong crowd walk through the turnstiles, and the meeting was also well supported commercially.

The club has actively moved to increase the reputation of the Geelong Cup over the past three years and boss Daniel Salter said this was a justification for their decisions.

“It’s never easy, but it was a fantastic cup last year. We had a great team on board and we worked really hard,” Salter said.

“It’s nice to get rewarded. I’ve been here three years and there has been a lot of change at board level and senior management level.

“We have improved the facilities and reconnected with the local community. It all seems to be coming together.

“We are the biggest city outside of metropolitan Melbourne and we need our cup to be right up there as the best country cup going around. We have work to do, we will continue to improve but it’s a start.”

The Ballarat, Burrumbeet, Swan Hill, Warracknabeal, Wodonga and Wycheproof cups were also nominated, as was Warrnambool’s May Racing Carnival.

Geelong was also nominated for a customer service award.

The club has opened a new trainer and owners area, while it has also spent money upgrading the sound system and surrounds at the track.

“We want people that come to Geelong to have a good experience even if they don’t win a race. When they leave the racecourse at the end of they day they look forward to coming back next time,” Salter said.