Cranbourne Turf Club…The inside word from the track

270042_01: Unbeaten flying-machine Marabi will look to bring a Group-1 back to Cranbourne in Saturday’s feature sprint, the Oakleigh Plate. 270042 Picture: REG RYAN/RACING PHOTOS

CRANBOURNE TURF CLUB NEWS

The last couple of weeks has been spent reseeding the racetrack so that it’s in perfect order for our Autumn racing season which kicks off on Friday 11 March.

Aside from that, our catering team has been busy servicing local businesses and our facilities have been getting fully utilised, with Monash Health still administering Covid vaccinations and other function hire spaces being utilised for corporate events, wakes, school conferences and the like.

STAR NEWS COMMUNITY RACE DAY – FRIDAY 11 MARCH

Our Community Race Day is gaining momentum.

We have already seen plenty of essential workers book their complimentary tickets and the social media communication seems to suggest many are planning to get together and make a night of it. Likewise, we are seeing local clubs starting to book for our Community Clubs Marquee, with many of them keen to secure the $3.5k of brand activation we are offering the club which purchases the most tickets to the marquee.

This race meeting is at the start of the Labour Day long weekend and the week before the footy season kicks off in earnest, so we are hoping to get friends and family together to enjoy a relaxed evening to celebrate our local community.

As part of this night, we are also celebrating our four All Star Mile runners by hosting a celebratory All Star Mile Enclosure, complete with complimentary finger food, drinks at member’s prices, live entertainment, betting facilities and racing personalities.

You can gain free access simply by presenting your proof of voting to info@cranbourneturfclub.com.au or calling 5996 1300 before Friday 4 January.

Don’t forget this night will also include FREE kid’s activities including Pony Rides, Jumping Castle, Chair-O-Plane Ride and Kelly Sports.

There will also be entertainment on the deck for all to enjoy. Tickets are $10 pre-paid, $15 at the gate and kids get in free.

AUTUMN RACING

Beyond our 11 March event, we have eight thoroughbred and five harness meetings in Autumn.

Our Friday nights present a super opportunity to relax and unwind. We have a range of packages available including tiered dining (four courses for $65) and a variety of music and food trucks on hand on different race dates.

We’re also considering hosting themed nights on our deck or a suitable marquee – think Mexican, Tastes of Asia, Texas Barbeque – and these will be finalised in the next few weeks.

Don’t forget, between races, the footy will be on so you can keep an eye on your favourite team.

JUMPOUTS

We had several quality jump-outs this week. From the Price/Kent yard, two-year old Sketched was a standout in the first trial, while Dosh for Grahame Begg and Enthaar for the Maher/Eustace stable were also eye-catchers.

THE WATER COOLER

We’ve had a few promising runs from Cranbourne horses in the last couple of weeks and they bode well for this Saturday where we have:

• Four super youngsters and genuine hopes in the Blue Diamond (Lofty Strike, Jacquinot, Hafey, Counttheheadlights)

• The favourite for the Futurity – I’m Thunderstruck along with Sierra Sue

• The favourite for the Oakleigh Plate – Marabi

Let’s hope our Cranbourne contenders can do us proud and maybe bring home a Group 1!