ON TRACK FOR BUMPER DAY
WELCOMING BACK RACEGOERS AT LONG LAST
CROWDS will return to the Geelong Cup for the first time in three years, with thousands expected trackside at Wednesday’s event.
The Geelong Racing
Club’s flagship day has been held with empty grandstands for the past two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
GRC sponsorships, sales and marketing manager Jackie Price said excitement was building as the club prepared to welcome back racegoers.
“The community has really embraced this excitement, with over 5000 people already booking into corporate hospitality products,” Ms Price said.
“We anticipate a strong crowd of 12,000 in attendance.
“It’s been wonderful being able to bring a key sporting and social event back to life this year and we feel the excitement for the town – people are just so keen to dress up and get back to the track.”
Ms Price said the weather forecast for race day looked promising, after heavy rain lashed the region this week.
“However, if (it’s) not, we do have plenty of undercover grandstand seating, as well as undercover bars and viewing areas in the Flying Scud bar, Gargan Stand bar and Colts and Fillies,” she said.
The GRC held a function to launch the cup last week.
To mark the event,
Barwon Heads artist Fred Thompson was commissioned to create a work with a connection to the race.
The artist painted the moment jockey Damien Oliver crossed the finish line to win the 2002 Melbourne Cup, riding Media Puzzle, a week after his brother Jason died in a tragic racing fall.
With a property in Jan Juc and as an ambassador for the 2022 Geelong Cup, the region has a special meaning for Oliver.
The artwork is 1.8m tall and will be permanently housed at the GRC after taking centre stage at the October 19 event.
Cup day will get an added boost, with the state government to announce $20,000 towards the festivities from its Raceday Attraction Program.
The funds will go towards live music, entertainment for kids and free shuttle buses for punters to ensure people get home safely.
Racing Minister Anthony Carbines said it would be “fantastic” to see thousands of racing fans celebrating on Wednesday, as the Geelong Cup had been a highlight of the Victorian
People are just so keen to dress up and get back to the track.
GEELONG RACING CLUB’S JACKIE PRICE
racing calendar for 150 years.
“The racing industry plays a vital role in the state’s economy and the Labor government’s investment helps ensure animal welfare and safe and modern infrastructure to attract more visitors on race days,” Mr Carbines said.
Over the past three years, the government has contributed more than $1.3m with the aim of ensuring a better experience for racegoers, horses and jockeys at the GRC.
This included a $662,000 investment to deliver 40 new stables to enhance the club’s training facilities.
According to the government, local businesses will also benefit from the upgrade, as the new stables are expected to generate an extra $1.25m each year for the Geelong economy through spending on feed, transport, veterinary care, and salaries.
Ms Price said a number of local businesses were supporting the 2022 cup directly. “The (club) chooses local suppliers … (there are) key local businesses helping to bring the Geelong Cup to life this year,” she said.
Ms Price said the club was also highlighting local fashion houses with strong fashion and beauty sales and services in the lead up to the event.
The 2022 Geelong Cup will be run at Geelong racecourse, in Breakwater, at 4pm on October 19. Gates open at 10.30am.
For more details, including entry prices, see country.racing.com