Kilmore Racing Club is excited to welcome crowds back to Friday’s Jet Roofing Kilmore Pacing Cup, with a strong field of horses and plenty off-track entertainment set to feature.
Racing club chief executive Ben Murphy said he hoped a strong crowd would be in attendance after public health rules relating to the COVID-19 pandemic meant no spectators were allowed last year.
“We haven’t had crowds for a little while. We had the pacing cup last year, but it was crowd-free, so it will be nice to run the event again with a bit of normality,” he said.
“We’re hopeful we’ll get a crowd of more than 2000, but the weather will determine that to an extent. It’s been pretty wet, but we’re confident we should do well.
“It is an iconic event for Kilmore and plenty of good horses want to come along.”
Mr Murphy said the $80,000 feature race had developed a reputation as a warm-up event for the prestigious Group 1 Victoria Cup in October.
“The field looks like it will be fairly strong. There are horses that will be in the Victoria Cup coming along,” he said.
“We’re still in the nomination stage at the moment, but Honolua Bay and Willie Go West we expect will be accepted for the race. It’ll be another really high-class field, which it has been since we moved it to this date.”
Mr Murphy said there would be plenty of off-track action to keep racegoers entertained, including the 100-stall Bohemian Bulla Market, pony trots, a football clinic hosted by Kelly Sports and food and drinks at the Kilmore Trackside bistro.
Kilmore’s Wheel House Bikes has also organised a giveaway of a bicycle to a racegoer under the age of 16.
“We want to kick off the grand final weekend a little bit early and this is a great way to do it,” Mr Murphy said.
People can call Kilmore Racing Club on 5783 0700, email info@kilmore.countryracing.com.au or visit country.racing.com/kilmore/calendar/2022-09-23/jet-roofing-pacing-cup for more information.
Gates open at 2pm.
