By Matthew Sims
An overwhelming majority vote by both committees of the Cranbourne Turf Club (CTC) and Pakenham Racing Club (PRC) has approved a merger between the two esteemed clubs, paving the way for a ’Super Club’ in the South East to take shape.
Both of the clubs passed special resolutions to merge the two clubs during their respective annual general meetings on Monday 18 December.
Supported by Racing Victoria (RV) and Country Racing Victoria (CRV), the merger would create a new club, to be registered as the Cranbourne Pakenham Racing Club Inc, with a more marketable brand to be announced soon.
The club would conduct more than 60 race meetings annually across three tracks – Cranbourne, Pakenham Turf and Pakenham Synthetic – all of which are lit for night racing.
The club would also oversee more than 1500 horses in training each day across its facilities and deliver 30 per cent of all Victorian starters.
Inaugural chief executive Neil Bainbridge said the club was already working to achieve the required regulatory approvals and commence the transitional process, including receiving approval from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), Racing Minister Anthony Carbines and new liquor and racing licensing.
“It’s a significant day for racing in the south-east,“ he said.
“It’s a wonderful result.
“We look forward to getting the regulatory approvals in place in early 2024 and hitting the ground running for the benefits of our members, our trainers and the wider Casey and Cardinia communities.“
Bainbridge said there was a “very high“ number of members from both clubs who voted, with each vote “comfortably“ surpassing the 75 per cent majority needed.
“It’s great that the members have shared in our vision to create this ’Super Club’,“ he said.
“This is going to pave the way for racing in the south-east to grow at a rapid rate.“
With the CTC formed in 1857 and the PRC formed in 1875, Bainbridge said honouring both of the clubs’ long and storied history in Victoria’s racing industry would be among the new club’s priorities.
“It’s important that we recognise and retain the strong history that both clubs have,“ he said.
While the Pakenham Cup would be retained in 2024 as a night meeting on Thursday 29 February, Bainbridge said the Pakenham Cup would move back to its former regular Saturday day schedule, with a date to be confirmed for a meet in November or December 2024.
The committees of both the PRC and CTC acknowledged and expressed gratitude for the contributions of outgoing members of both the CTC and PRC management committees.
In addition, the PRC committee thanked outgoing PRC chief executive Blair Odgers, who chose not to join the new entity and instead elected to pursue a new opportunity outside the racing industry.
The first Committee of the Cranbourne Pakenham Racing Club Inc constituted of chairman Sean Clarkson, deputy chairman Rick Tyrrell, honorary treasurer Julian Christian, committee members Scott Brown, Judy Cain, Adam Cattach, Trevor Iverach, Michael Phillips, Rick Singh, and Michelle Webster.
Country Racing Victoria chief executive Scott Whiteman said the merger would represent a positive outcome for racing in Victoria.
“We are delighted that the members have endorsed the merger of the two clubs,“ he said.
“It has been tremendous to work closely with each club as they have grown to become a Super Club in Melbourne’s south-east.
“While we have long held a dream that these clubs could merge into a powerhouse, it would not have been possible without the support and awareness of the long-term benefits from Racing Victoria, headed by Andrew Jones, his management team and the Board.
“Everyone involved with the Cranbourne and Pakenham Racing Clubs should feel proud today.”
Racing Victoria chief executive Andrew Jones said the decision to merge the two clubs was a historic moment for Victorian racing, which would solidify the new club as a racing and training powerhouse.
“Everyone is a winner today,“ he said.
“We commend Cranbourne Turf Club and Pakenham Racing Club members for approving this merger.
“The combined club offers members two tracks for the price of one.
“Trainers can realise a future where more facilities and options are available to them.“
Jones said club leaders could drive economies of scale across all elements of the clubs, including racing, training customer services, commercial operations, finance, administration, gaming and property.
“On behalf of Racing Victoria, I want to thank the committees, managers and members of both clubs for embracing the future,“ he said.
“It will be bright in Melbourne’s south-east.“
