Own a horse for a night at Bendigo's Lords Raceway

The Hon. Dr Denis Napthine.

Attendees at the Bendigo Harness Racing Club’s Anniversary Cup will have the chance to  ‘own’ a horse for a race as part of a range of attractions and activities on offer during the special race meeting in a joint initiative supported by the club and the Victorian Coalition Government. 

The Anniversary Cup race meeting will take place at Lord’s Raceway on Saturday 3 November 2012.

Minister for Racing Dennis Napthine said it was fantastic that punters would have this great opportunity to see local horses in full flight, and could enjoy a range of other entertainment on the sidelines.

“There is little better in Bendigo than a great night out at Lord’s Raceway and the special prizes and attractions for the night make it even more special,” Dr Napthine said.

“This special race meeting is being supported by the Coalition Government’s Raceday Attraction Program which aims to attract people back to the state’s racetracks and target new audiences through partnering with the local community.”

Among the attractions on the day are:

-        A gate-day prize of a 14-day holiday to the United States to witness the running of the 2013 Little Brown Jug;
-        The chance to be an ‘Owner for a Race’. Names will be drawn out of a barrel, with a horse in each race matched against a lucky patron. The winning ‘owner’ will receive a holiday as their prize;
-        1,000 2-for-1 tickets distributed to paying attendees on the day;
-        A collection of local harness racing memorabilia, featuring historical photographs and racing colours on display;
-        Fashion parades and competitions with the Elmore Field Day Art Fashion display; and
-        The hosting of the first leg of the new Victorian Monte (ridden harness horses) Championships at the same event.

Bendigo Harness Racing Club General Manager David Aldred said the grant will ensure that the Bendigo Harness Racing Club’s Anniversary of Lord’s Raceway is an event for the local community to support and celebrate.

“Lord’s Raceway opened 58 years ago on 17 November 1954 and is synonymous with racing in Bendigo,” Mr Aldred said.  

“Our city has a rich history in harness racing dating back to 1858. It is very important that we celebrate anniversaries such as this, along with our industry participants and volunteers who have made our race club great.”

The Bendigo Harness Racing Club will receive more than $13,500 from the Raceday Attraction Program with the Bendigo Harness Racing Club and sponsors contributing over $15,800 towards the Anniversary Cup initiatives.