Boort’s Cups running over
Published on 07 March 2014
Record prize money, a raft of free activities and a boosted Fashions on the Field competition are all key highlights of this year’s Boort Cups meeting, planned for Sunday 16 March at Boort Park.
Hosted by the Boort Trotting Club, this signature event is a major occasion both for the town and for the trotting industry in Victoria.
The program of eight races offers stakes money of $73,000, including prizes of $14,000 for both the Loddon Valley Stud Pacers Cup and the Doyle’s Boomspraying Trotters Cup.
Patrons will have the chance of winning one of two holidays to Noosa, sponsored by Cr Neil Beattie and family, a $1,000 gate prize, five $100 draws for members and raffle prizes of a $500 tablet and a Talking Books package.
Club president John Campbell said this week members were delighted to be running their third Cups meeting back on their home track after a seven-year period when they were obliged to go elsewhere.
“It’s said we are the oldest continuing trotting club in Australia and we’re very pleased to be staging our third event back here,” Mr Campbell said.
“This meeting is huge for the trotting industry and means a lot to the town, to its businesses and the local community.
“We expect to have owners, trainers and drivers arriving from around the state and are most grateful for the support offered, in particular, by the Victorian Government, Loddon Shire and Harness Racing Victoria.”
Council gave the club $1,000 during the latest round of its Events Sponsorship Scheme allocations to help with marketing and promotion expenses.
The event, which attracted about 1,000 people last year, features a Fashions on the Field competition with six categories, after which the winning female will be invited to enter finals at Melton the following weekend to vie for a $5,000 first prize.
Other family attractions on the day will include a free race book for patrons wearing something green – in honour of St Patrick’s Day – health checks, pony rides, live music and a variety of children’s entertainment.
A free bus will operate from Bendigo to ferry racegoers to the track.
Gates open at 11am, with the first race scheduled for 1.30pm. Entry costs $10 for adults and $5 pensioners, with children and club members free.
For more information, phone John Campbell on 0437 077 887 or secretary John Davidson on 5437 8330.