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EVEN before the weekend was over, organisers were proclaiming the Murray Downs Golf and Country Club Swan Hill June Racing Carnival a success.
The three-day event saw thousands cross the grass, have a flutter and enjoy the sunshine that graced the field.
Murray Mallee Racing CEO Aaron Garvie said while the final numbers hadn’t been tallied on Sunday afternoon they were confident they had reached 5000 racegoers yesterday to watch Diamonds At Noon win the $100,000 Murray Downs Swan Hill Cup.
That number would be a record for Cup Day, which drew 4800 last year in what was also hailed a success.
“It’s been a very successful event, over the three days we’ve had perfect weather and great numbers,” Mr Garvie said.
“We’re confident we’ve had strong crowds and believe we were close to a record on Saturday and on Sunday.”
“We’re confident we’ve had strong crowds and believe we were close to a record on Saturday and on Sunday…”
Mr Garvie said Murray Mallee Racing had been marketing the carnival broadly and their efforts had seen results.
“I think because of the way we’re marketing it it’s becoming more and more popular,” he said.
“We’ve really pushed online marketing and online tickets sales.
“Our goal is to keep it growing every year.”
Glorious clear blue skies kept visitors and jockeys happy across the weekend.
“The track held up really well,” Mr Garvie said.
Murray Mallee Racing sales and marketing executive Sheree Watson praised the crowds who flocked to the event each day.
“We had a really well behaved crowd as well as quality racing,” Ms Watson said.
Newcomers to the racing carnival were drawn by the event’s positive reputation and to catch up with friends.
Old friends Nadine Rhook Kellie Keighran and Jacky Storer took the opportunity to get together and remember old times.
“We make sure this is one of our yearly catch-ups,” Ms Rhook said.
“We’re having a fabulous day and we get to catch up with old friends.”
Ms Rhook and Ms Storer said Ms Keighran was always a winner at the carnival and called her their “lucky charm.”
Meanwhile, Brenda Martin, Diane Hambly and Sue Ogilvie travelled from Adelaide to meet up with their friend Cheryl Delmenico at the races.
Ms Hambly said it was their first time at the races and they planned to come again.
She praised the carnival as a relaxed, country meeting.
“We came for lady’s day on the Friday and the weather’s been beautiful,” Ms Hambly said.
“The facilities are really good and it’s a good fun, relaxed carnival.”
Pick up Wednesday’s Guardian for a double page spread of social photos from the races. The lucky racegoer with a crown placed on their head will win $200.
