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Cranbourne Racing Celebrates Historic Milestone

20 April 2017

The Cranbourne Turf Club will celebrate its 150th anniversary this Friday with a night of racing and entertainment, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.

The Labor Government is contributing more than $5700 towards the April 21 event through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund Raceday Attraction Program. The Club is matching the contribution.

Racing at Cranbourne first began in April 1867 with a two-day race meeting, and has since grown to boast one of the highest country racing club on-course turnovers in the state.

Australian Racing Hall of Fame and champion thoroughbred Manikato won his first start at Cranbourne as a two-year-old in 1978, before going on to claim the Blue Diamond Stakes, Golden Slipper, Ascot Vale Stakes and the Caulfield Guineas in the same year.

Artefacts of local racing history will be on show throughout the night with historical displays featuring trophies, race books, photos and committee meeting minutes dating back more than a century.

There will also be family-friendly activities on offer including pony rides, amusement rides, circus performers, organised sports, an animal farm and a reptile show.

The 150th Anniversary Raceday forms part of Country Racing Victoria’s 2016/17 Easter Campaign, which includes 13 race meetings across regional Victoria between 13 April and 25 April 2017.

The racing industry in the outer Melbourne region generates more than $375 million annually for the Victorian economy and helps sustain more than 3720 full-time equivalent jobs in the region.

Quote attributable to Minister for Racing Martin Pakula

“We’re proud to be supporting racing clubs right across Victoria because they support local jobs and boost the economy. I congratulate the Cranbourne Turf Club on reaching this historic milestone.”

Quote attributable to Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera

“I’m thrilled to see that in the 150 years since the first race meeting, the local racing industry has only gone from strength to strength and Cranbourne is now one of the most successful country racing clubs in the state.”

Quotes attributable to Cranbourne Turf Club Chairman Geoff Whiffin

“The first race meeting at Cranbourne was held in April 1867, and almost 150 years to the day, the Cranbourne Turf Club is looking forward to welcoming patrons to the track to help us celebrate.”

“We thank the Victorian Government for its generous contribution towards this event, which is also an important opportunity to reflect on the local racing industry’s history and its exciting future.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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