Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge, chairman Robin Daley and committee member David Cook are excited that night racing will soon be underway at the track. 76224 Picture: Donna Oates
By Bridget Cook
THE countdown is on for Cranbourne Turf Club’s inaugural night racing meeting, with the first horse trials under lights being held at the track on Tuesday night.
The club hosted local Cranbourne jump outs on Tuesday night for Cranbourne trainers to test out the track and the club to test out and fine tune the lights.
Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge said it was a special occasion for the club.
“It was the first time we had the lights all on with horses going around the track,” he said.
The club held 13 trials on the track, with Cranbourne trainers bringing about 90 horses out to race.
Mr Bainbridge said the club received great support from both local trainers and the community.
“We were really delighted that the local trainers came out and supported us,” he said.
“We also had a really good attendance from the public and interested parties coming out to check out the course lit up.
“Everyone was commenting on how good the lights looked.”
The club will host its first industry official jump outs under lights on Tuesday 7 February, ahead of the first scheduled night race meeting on Friday 9 March.
“Those will be like a dress rehearsal for us,” he said.
“We are looking forward to it.”
