27
February, 2003
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Carnival Remains Australia?s No.1
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The Sky Channel Nights Of Glory re-affirmed its position
as Australia?s premier harness racing carnival with three spectacular nights of
racing and entertainment at Moonee Valley throughout February.
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Over $1.3 million in stakes along with the sport?s
most prestigious silverware was distributed amongst competitors from fives
states of Australia and both islands of New Zealand on 8, 15 and 22 February.
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?The 2003 Sky Channel Nights Of Glory was yet
another successful carnival ensuring this event and its brand remains strong
with the opportunity for continued growth in years to come?, explained Harness
Racing Victoria Chief Executive Richard King.
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?The support from the participants and public alike
was very satisfying and follows on from highly successful Australian Trotting
Grand Prix Carnival in December where saw a 25% increase in attendances and a
7% increase in off-course turnover.
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?Total off course wagering on the Nights Of Glory
grew to over $6,680,000 this year which is 15.5% up on when we introduced this
event in 1998.
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?In fact on course turnover has grown over that same
period by 5.4% with punters this year wagering over $2 million on the three
meetings.
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?As we do with every major event we?ll sit down in
the coming weeks and review each aspect of the operational, racing and
marketing sectors to ensure we maintain that growth pattern next season.
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One of the most pleasing aspects for HRV throughout
the carnival was a sizeable increase in admission revenue.
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?Our gate takings were up 13.5% this year due in no
small part to the fact that we didn?t undertake a major ticket giveaway as we
had done the previous year.
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?Once again our group bookings areas were very strong
and we were delighted with the way the public embraced the marquee dining
options on offer.?
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?Group bookings are the backbone of harness racing
at Moonee Valley and their sustained growth throughout the Nights Of Glory has
maintained a 7% increase on figures from the same time last financial year.
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Exciting racing was the flavour of the Carnival with
the very best horses, trainers and drivers from around Australasia converging
on the nation?s sporting capital.?
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Stars of the show included champion New Zealand
pacer Young Rufus who delivered a memorable performance in the SEW Eurodrive
Victoria Cup.? As too did legendary
reinsman Tony Herlihy who continued the Kiwis? dominance of the Metalcorp
Recyclers Victoria Derby with his own colt Bellas Boy.?
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And who can forget local hero Chris Alford who drove
his way into the record books with an historic Group 1 double aboard Mont
Denver Gold and All Action Son in the Carlton Draught Hunter Cup and Sky
Channel Australasian Trotters Championship Final on night three.
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?I?m sure people will agree that the racing action
was world class and the fields on offer the best assembled anywhere in the land
this season?, said HRV General Manager ? Marketing Chris Green.
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?For the second consecutive year the World?s richest
handicap race, the Carlton Draught Hunter Cup, delivered a spectacular finish
with less than nine metres separating the first nine horses across the line.
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?On the marketing front the on-course promotions
featured across the three nights were a real success with a variety of
entertainment options to compliment the racing.
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?The Warehouse Sales Legends Race and Tri-Codes
Parade Of Champions were a highlight of heroes night. The night market stood
out amongst a myriad of country themed activities on night two, whilst the
Killing Heidi concert on the final night was a true hit and further
strengthened one of the most unique events in the sport and entertainment
industry.
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?Importantly, Killing Heidi delivered a demographic
to Moonee Valley we have long been seeking with an abundance of 18 to 35 year
old patrons enjoying the event including an unusually high female contingent.
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?Much of this would not have been achievable without
the support of our event partner Sky Channel, our premier partner Carlton &
United Breweries and our other sponsors who help make the Nights Of Glory the
pinnacle event it is.
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The success of the 2003 Sky Channel Nights Of Glory
follows hot on the heels of a record-breaking season in regional Victoria where
HRV?s country cups circuit continues to thrive.
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?Attendance at our feature country meetings is
already up 40% this season with Cups at major regional centres like Echuca,
Bendigo, Cranbourne and Mildura still to come,? said Green.
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?In fact across the board country attendances are up
6% this season.
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?These figures are not only the result of our
aggressive country marketing campaign, but also as a direct benefit of a 30%
increase in country cup prizemoney, to well over $500,000 this season.?
