ALL roads and tracks will lead to Kerang Turf Club and the 142nd running of the $30,000 clubBarham Kerang Cup over 1800m on Easter Saturday.
With seven races on the Cup Day card, KTC president Darren Connelly says there will be so much going on at the track people won’t know where to look.
Connelly said the committee and volunteers have been slaving away for months to make sure this year’s Cup is one to remember, and he is targeting a crowd of at least 2000.
And they look like they might be coming from far and wide he says, with one Melbourne group looking to catch the free shuttle bus from Boort.
“I asked the man who called how many were in his group and he said 40,” Collelly said.
“If we get a few like that there won’t be too many spare seats on our buses, which will be coming from Quambatook/Boort Lake Meran, Koondrook/Barham and Leitchville/Gunbower/Cohuna.”
One of the 2023 highlights will be the Tailored Peach Fashions in the Field, which this year will have 10 categories covering women, men and juniors with strong competition expected.
Racegoers will also be entertained by the popular singer Jade Camden, who has performed at several Kerang meetings in recent years.
Connelly said the club has also made 200 free tickets available to people who helped out during last year’s flood – as well as flood-affected families.
He said that includes volunteer emergency services members, such as the CFA, SES and search and rescue.
To help local sport as well, the club will stage its first Kerang Sporties Sprint, with three races for male and female footballers from surrounding leagues and netballers from the same leagues.
Each 100m sprint has a cash purse of $250 as an incentive to support football/netball clubs, many having been impacted by the floods.
Full catering is available – which will include 150 rounds of sandwiches handmade race morning by the Kerang Girl Guides as a fundraiser, while Kerang Lions will also be earning some extra funding by providing traffic control in the car parks.
Connelly said there are still a few packages available on the day, and details are available from KTC on 0429 052 523 or online at countryracing.com/kerang
“The packages come with a Tannah Free hamper from her Cohuna business, but if you simply want to order a hamper for your own picnic on the grass, the club can organise that for you too,” he added.
“We have EFTPOS facilities on track as well as bars and other delights.”
The junior racegoers haven’t been forgotten either, with a swag of entertainment lined up to make it a great day out.
Connelly said that includes Kelly Sports providing fully-supervised activities along with a visit from the Easter Bunny and after that an Easter Egg hunt – for the children only.
“The grounds are in great shape, the track is in prime racing condition and the only thing we could possibly want is some urgent interest from potential club committee members and/or volunteers,” he said.
“We have another meeting coming up in December and it would be fantastic to get some new blood behind the organisation. This is a brilliant community event and a rewarding opportunity, so give us a call.”
Contact the KTC secretary on 0429 052 523.
