Christmas will come early to Geelong this December with the township ready to rock the night away amid some high-class sporting action.
Geelong Harness Racing Club has been bombarded with bookings for its showcase event on Saturday night, the Flying Brick Cider Co. Geelong Pacing Cup.
In addition to an outstanding list of nominations for the $30,000 feature, including speed machine Tee Cee Bee Macray and much-loved Messini, the night will feature live music, plenty of food, drinks and family activities.
Club manager Paul Prout said they worked hard to secure this night on the trots calendar to deliver the community a pre-Christmas, Saturday night celebration.
“It has been well received with more than 500 dining packages booked,” Mr Prout said.
“I can’t wait. I’ve organised and reorganised and now want to see it happen. We’ve had great media support and the trots have become part of the city’s conversation.”
Most notably, many of those who have saved the date will be savouring their first live trots experience.
“I wanted to try and get people who have never been to the trots before, and that part has worked because there are 410 people who have booked who will be here for the first time,” Mr Prout said.
“So as well as showing good racing that our track naturally does, it also shows the sport to people who have never experienced it up close.”
And they will have plenty to savour. In addition to a great night’s racing, the live music will include Geelong’s Anthony Dellamarta, who came to national attention when a 2012 contestant on The Voice.
“There will be live music, mini marquees and a lawn marquee, in addition to eight gourmet food trucks and two Flying Brick Cider bars,” Mr Prout said.
There will also be activities for children, including jumping castles, face painting and animal farms, and the whole family will get a kick out of Trots Interactive, the virtual reality experience that places you in the sulky.
And, of course, the unofficial King of Geelong and Trots Country Cups Carnival ambassador will also be on hand.
“Billy Brownless will be there to give away signed footys and will be available for photos and signatures.”
The cup is part of the club’s Summer Trots Carnival, incorporating Saturday night’s showcase and further racing on Thursdays December 22 and January 5.
Among the features is a $500 bonus to any trainer that can produce three winners on the given night, an attempt to ensure great fields for the locals.
Also in attendance will be the HRV HERO Program's life after racing ambassador team, which promotes the pathways available to standardbreds post their racing careers.
Media enquiries:
Michael Howard (HRV Media/Communications Co-Ordinator)
t: 03 8378 0286 | e: mhoward@hrv.org.au | tw: @MichaelRHoward