Christmas is just around the corner and a reminder that so is the Fred Cooper Christmas Cup Race Meeting on Thursday 14th December.
Another important date for your diary is the NSW Country Championships Goulburn Race Day on Saturday 24th February 2018. An initiative of Racing NSW and supported by NSW Govt the Country Championships was created to support and promote NSW racing in country areas, ensuring that horses from across NSW are part of the Championships in Sydney in the Autumn. The grand final of the South Eastern Racing Association Fashion on the Field will also be held at Goulburn on 24th February. I encourage you to come and experience a spectacular day of racing, fashion and fun.
The Goulburn Spring Racing Carnival was action packed. Goulburn Cup Day was an exciting day of racing with the 2017 JCF Goulburn Cup won by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott with “Dark Eyes” ridden by Blake Shinn. Gerald Ryan & Brenton Avdulla won the Guy Walter Fillies & Mares Race sponsor Spendthrift) with “Fournette”. The winning connections secured the bonus of an option of a free service from any one of Spendthrift Stud’s stallion offerings.
The Inaugural Graeme Spackman Memorial Race held on 5th November was won by “Territorial” trained by Tash Burleigh.
Todd Rawiller, who trains a boutique stable of horses at Warwick Farm, is the winning trainer of the newly announced November Cruise Series. Todd has won a Luxury P & O Australia Cruise for two valued at over $2,000. The November Cruise Series was a joint initiative of Goulburn Race Club and corporate partner The Gordon Hotel. Trainers from Aust & NSW were eligible to enter by having a runner at Goulburn’s three November meetings. Todd trains “Immune” who won at Goulburn on 11th November.
A big thank you to our existing sponsors for renewing their sponsorship and taking advantage of our new exciting packages we offered for 2018. I appreciate your commitment and ongoing support and a warm welcome to all of our new Sponsors. The Platinum Sponsors’ Race Naming Rights for 2018 are:
Goulburn Cup 2018 Race Day – Best Western Goulburn
Girls Day Out Race Day – S & K Wilson Plumbing
Country Championships Race Day – Anthony & Edwards Real Estate
Kids Day Out Race Day – Waratah Thoroughbreds
Boys Day Out Race Day – Sun Solutions
Fred Cooper Cup Race Day – Hibernian Hotel
The positive and complimentary feedback I have received about our recent race days and the changes to the Race Club and hospitality has been overwhelming. This feedback comes from a wide range of people. The credit is due to a very committed and hardworking team of people supporting me in making our race days and functions a success for everyone.
Below are just some of the comments that I would like to share with you all;
“thank you for another great day at the races in Goulburn. Yourself along with Jayne and Mel have done an outstanding Job and I for one would like to praise the direction in which you have taken and the opportunities you are creating for racegoers to enjoy at the club. I think word will spread and people will want to take advantage of these new opportunities for private parties and client functions alike”. Thanks again, Justin.
“Congratulations on what was a seemingly well managed afternoon. I was impressed with the marquee, the layout, the food and the presentations. I thought your personal approach to meeting and greeting VIP guests and sponsors at the main gate was a great initiative and then having Kath showing people then to their tables on arrival an excellent idea and all the Directors their on-course fulfilling their roles. It was good to meet Ken and get an insight into his passion for racing and for Goulburn. I thought your facilities and the grounds were well presented”. Brian Charman, Executive Officer, Racing NSW Country
“What a great day at the Goulburn Cup yesterday. A Progressive Club run by passionate racing enthusiasts” Spendthrift Aus
“I would like to thank you all at the club for an excellent day yesterday. I represented Gai & Adrian, where we had a fantastic day. The hospitality was outstanding and the course was presented in unbelievable condition, a credit to you all. We hope to have more runners at your track in the near future.” Chris Armstrong Senior Foreman/HR Gai Waterhouse Racing
“Congratulations on a wonderful Goulburn Cup meeting! You and your team put on a fantastic raceday” Julieanne Horsman, Media & Communications Executive Racing NSW
“I just want to thank you and the racing club for a great day yesterday. The meal/seafood was fantastic”. Luke Geddes Waratah Thoroughbreds
“Its great to see the improvements for patrons etc. Gbn trainers are going great guns and that wouldn’t happen without great club support of them” Jim, Goulburn Racing
“The vibe was great, the entertainment quirky. Most importantly we were made to feel part of your sponsors “family”. It was a lovely touch” Vicki
“Tracks have been very well managed and communication from the Club is excellent. The new viewing area on the grass and the set up on race day fantastic” Terry
“Congratulations on the presentation of your track, parade ring, infield and public areas. On screen it all looks so well looked after, which is a change from what we usually watch in the country. Please pass on congrats to your ground staff but mostly to you for doing such a great job”. Helen Sinclair
“A big thankyou to you, Mel and Mr Ken Ikin and the Committee for the huge effort made for Spacky’s race day. We all enjoyed the day, despite the chill and appreciated how great the grounds and reflection area looked. It was a wonderful day, and of course, the icing on the cake was Tash winning Spacky’s race with Territorial” Jude Spackman
“It’s a great thrill to win the 2017 Premiership Goulburn Apprentice Jockey of the Year I can’t thank you guys enough for putting a great meeting together each and every time you have races at Goulburn” Jockey Jean Van Overmaire
“Thank you so much for Saturday. We had the best day and the marquee was beautiful. And the grounds and track looked amazing the best we have ever seen them look!” Ricky & Katy
“What a great initiative the trainers/owners bar is” Neville
“The place has a positive vibe now – very noticeable” Emma
“It was the wedding they had dreamed of. Everyone commented on how great the meal was and how wonderful the venue looked on the day. Thank you to you and all the staff who helped make their day so memorable” Kaylene & Malcolm
I am very grateful for the positive feedback and I am looking forward to racing at Goulburn in 2018. We have some exciting initiatives and the Club is progressing in a new and rewarding direction.
Don’t forget that the Race Club is an excellent venue for weddings, special parties, events and conferences. We can cater for your every need.
Finally I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I look forward to seeing you at the races soon.
Robyn Fife
CEO
Goulburn & District Racing Club
