Trackside treat is just the ticket

PAKENHAM Racing Club will host two meetings in three days next week, after the club yesterday “picked up” a fixture from Moe.
Pakenham’s meeting on Sunday was originally scheduled but it gained another fixture for next Tuesday after poor weather and heavy rain delayed the “healing” process on the Moe course.
Remedial works were carried out at Moe after the course was flooded in March and the drainage system at the track was affected. Works to fix the track have taken longer than the expected two months to complete.
There will be two hurdle races over 3200 metres – both heats of the David Bourke Rookie Jumpers Series – and an open steeplechase over 3800 metres on the eight-event card on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s meeting will coincide with the Grand National Steeplechase and the JJ Houlahan Hurdle at Sandown. The two champagne events of the racing season will be telecast live at Pakenham.
To entice punters to the track, the racing club is bringing back its value-packed Sunday Session cards, which gives buyers four beers or wine/sparkling and a racebook for $10.
Sales and events manager Anthony Millican said it was great to kick off the new racing season with strong racing on and off-course.
“We are expecting quality fields and to have these big jumps races broadcast will give people a great day out,” Millican said.
“The weather forecast is also in our favour. Come out and enjoy the Sunday Session.”
Golfers from the Cardinia Beaconhills club will swap clubs for form guides at Pakenham on Sunday.
The golf club will raise funds to try to continue its battle to stay open.
Club business development manager Ian Hollingsworth said the race day would help provide much-needed funds to continue operations.
“This is another opportunity to raise funds for the golf club and to ensure we continue developing promising golfers,” Hollingsworth said.
“Since our last race day, we have experienced good growth in membership, which has been a great boost for the club.
“This time we have a function for about 100 people and plenty of sponsors on board, so it should be a top result and hopefully will continue to grow our great club.”
Gates open at 11am and admission is $8 for adults, $6 concession and free for children under 17.