By DAVID NAGEL
SATURDAY night fever has taken a grip of all three racing codes at Cranbourne with the 13th running of the City of Casey Tricodes event an overwhelming success.
More than 5000 people descended on the club’s newly renovated facility, taking in a feast of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound action.
Cranbourne Turf Club and Harness CEO Neil Bainbridge said it was like the perfect storm had created a great atmosphere on the night.
“It was a magnificent night, the best we’ve had in my time at the club,” Bainbridge said.
“Everything was just right, it was more accessible being on a Saturday night and it was still 26 degrees when the last race was being run. It was just great to see so many people enjoying themselves and being entertained by a great night of racing.”
The new grandstand facilities were also a big winner, especially for patrons seeing the recent developments for the first time.
“It was a great surprise for some, because we’re a country track, but the facilities are now metro standard with upstairs and downstairs both looking fantastic,” Bainbridge said.
Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent started the night in a positive light for locals when his exciting three-year-old colt, Vienna Prince, scored a stirring victory in the $15,000 Winning Edge Maiden Plate (1400m).
The son of Snitzel broke a frustrating run, with three seconds in his first four starts, to outgun Peter Moody’s Skyfire in a gut-busting two-horse war over the final 600 metres of the race. The stakes weren’t as high, but the talented pair’s battle brought back memories of the famous 1986 Cox Plate duel between Bonecrusher and Our Waverley Star.
Other highlights of the night included the running of the $6000 Ultra Signs Monte (1630m), where harness drivers sit on saddles instead of driving in a sulky.
Thoroughbred racing returns to Cranbourne tomorrow night, while the running of the $100,000 Group 1 Decron Pacing Cup (2555m) will take place on Saturday 6 December.
