With the 2024 local racing season fast approaching, Deniliquin Racing Club is encouraging anyone who enjoys a fun day out to become a member.
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Racing is held at the local racecourse on Anzac Day and Caulfield Cup Day.
Membership of $60 entitles entry to both days, plus a ticket in the $500 lucky member’s draw on Caulfield Cup Day.
Club president Greg Danckert said two successful meetings were held last year, both attended by large crowds who enjoyed the races and race day entertainment.
“In recent times the club has undertaken a lot of work to improve the racecourse facility and the race day experience for members and the general public.
“This year we are keen to increase our membership and hope more people can support racing in Deniliquin and also enjoy the sport of kings,” Danckert said.
He said the club’s current members would be contacted for renewals, however any new members, or anyone seeking additional information, can call Col McMahon on 0428 266 730 to get a membership form.
The club also has race and business sponsorship packages available.
Full race sponsorship is $2200 (incl. GST) which includes sole naming rights and eight tickets to the Peppercorn Marquee with complimentary food, drink and music throughout the day.
Half race sponsorships are also available for $1100 (incl. GST) which entitles sponsors to shared race naming rights and four tickets to the Peppercorn Marquee with complimentary food, drink and music.
Advertising in all race day platforms is also included in both full and half race sponsorships.
A business sponsorship costs $550 (incl. GST) which includes two tickets into the Peppercorn Birdcage with complimentary food, drink and music.
Businesses interested in any sponsorship package should contact Col McMahon on the number above.
More information on the Anzac Day race meeting will be available in coming weeks.
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It has been a busy start to the year for district racing enthusiasts, with numerous gallopers that have a local connection.
The stand-out is the Cosmic Force colt Stay Focused, part-owned by Matthew and Deb Broadhead through Bennett Racing, which was ultra impressive winning a $150,000 Geelong Two-year-old Open on debut and is scheduled to line up tomorrow (Saturday) in the Blue Diamond Prelude (colts and geldings).
Stay Focused is currently a $12 chance for the Blue Diamond, but that will no doubt shorten if he remains unbeaten tomorrow.
Interestingly, one of the outsiders in the Prelude is likely to be Hellberg, from the Ben Brisbourne yard at Wangaratta.
Garry Baker has a share in the Hellbent colt, which ran well on debut when third at Geelong. He has since impressed the trainer enough to ‘throw him in the deep end’.
Foxicon, with five wins from its 11 starts, returned to racing at Caulfield on Australia Day and ran sixth, beaten 3.5 lengths. The talented mare is part-owned by Todd Newman.
Deniliquin Racing Club president Greg Danckert has watched his Adelaide galloper Crown Mint race six times across December and January for consecutive wins, followed by four fourths, to take his prize money just a tad shy of $300,000.
Danckert also has a share in the Queensland galloper Blue Ray which returned from a spell last week with a pleasing fourth at the Sunshine Coast.
The Landale family stayer Dahwilly (appropriately named) was only beaten 1.7 lengths when fifth at Caulfield on Australia Day and had accepted to run at Pakenham last night.
Racing Club treasurer Col McMahon will be eagerly awaiting a return to the track for Lohnraki, which was injured after winning at Goulburn in July.
The Lohnro gelding, with three wins from 18 starts, finished second in its two trials in January.
Finally, the mare Rhonda Vous has a host of local owners including Greg Danckert, Adam Wettenhall, the Deniliquintet Syndicate (manager Kym Sandford) and the Sundance Syndicate (manager Peter McIntyre). It finally broke through for a maiden win at start 15 in early January, then almost made it two on the trot when narrowly beaten less than a fortnight later at Wodonga.
It was disappointing last start, but found afterwards to be suffering from a virus and was sent to the paddock.
The faithful ownership group will be hoping ‘Rhonda’ can bounce back to winning form after her break.
Deniliquin Racing Club has compiled a list of local people who have an interest in a racehorse(s), to help promote the sport in this region.
You can join the list by sending an email to deniliquinracingclub@gmail.com or text 0409 447 609. Include your name and the name of your horse(s).
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