TWO new racing dates is set to breathe new life into the Balranald Racing Club in 2022, with a new-look Balranald Cup meeting on March 19.
The club has raced twice a year from its Greenham Park headquarters; once on Derby Day, the Saturday prior to the Melbourne Cup, while the club has held their Balranald Cup meeting on what used to be Blue Diamond Day, the last Saturday in February.
With their February meeting then clashing with the Albury Country Championships meeting a few years back, the Balranald Cup meeting was then moved to the second weekend in February,
Balranald Racing Club president Tony Conway said that crowds started to suffer, with extreme heat also impacting volunteers and punters.
“This meeting has always had a strong emphasis on being a family day. The crowds started to drop off because of the weather, and who would want to take the kids out on a 40-degree day after the first week of school,” Conway said.
Conway said the club’s Derby Day meeting also started to suffer, with the club competing against the Victorian non-TAB meeting at Wycheproof.
He said his committee was working hard to offer well-rounded race days on March 19 and October 22.
“We have done some things different, and hopefully it is better for the racing industry and our community,” Conway said.
“For cup day we will offer free admission and we want to welcome everyone back to the races and get everyone wanting to come back each year.”
The $12,000 Balranald Cup headlines the March 19 meeting.
The club will have a jumping castle and other kids’ activities, all set in the picturesque surrounds of Greenham Park lawns and shade, and the race track is expected to be in perfect condition after recent summer rains and the good irrigation system in place.
Entertainment will be provided by Scoogs’ Backward Beer Bolt after the last race.
For more information, call Ash on 0488 631 056.
