MELBOURNE’S outer eastern suburbs are creeping ever closer to Bass Coast and South Gippsland, and the residents there have discovered our best attractions in their droves.
Which is why the hospitality marquees, umbrellas, tables ands pavilions at the Woolamai Racecourse, for this Saturday’s opening race meeting of the season, were booked out long ago,
There’s the usual buck’s and hen’s parties but also plenty of work groups taking the opportunity to get together, under the elms at Woolamai, so much so that they’ve spilled over from this Saturday’s ‘End of Year Celebration’ day to the Bendigo Bank Race Day on Saturday, December 21 as well.
If you add in the local football netball clubs heading to Woolamai this Saturday, and the popularity of the venue with the general public, it’s already set to be a big day.
And there’s been a huge number of entries for what is being billed as a six-race meeting with fields expected to be at capacity and some great racing assured.
The only concern is the weather. The humidity continues with temperatures in the range of 15°C-21°C and winds are light but there’s a “very high chance of showers” according to the bureau and even the chance of a thunderstorm.
Woolamai and District Race Club Secretary Abby Doyle said the club is already to go.
“We’ve been making regular improvements at the racecourse, removing our old toilets and erecting a new toilet block and concreting all the sheds and pavilions which is good news for the customers and also for our staff,” said Abby Doyle this week.
“We’re booked out for hospitality sites this Saturday but we certainly welcome everyone to come along through general admission.
“We’re already heavily booked for Bendigo Bank Race Day on Saturday, December 21 and also our Woolamai Whirlwind Racew Day on Saturday, December 28 which is great.
Stony Creek launch
Not to be left out, Stony Creek Racing Club is also launching its season this Saturday night with much to celebrate ahead of the start to their racing season on Monday, December 30, well and truly in the festive season with their Brandt Family Fun Day, followed up on Saturday, January 4 the club’s big School Holiday Race Meeting.
Thanks to further funding from the State Government, announced in September by Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines, customer services have received a major makeover including upgrades to the public bar, the TAB area that will feature a new customer service hub, and the race day office. There will also be a new alfresco deck and shade sail.
Since 2014, the State Labor Government has provided more than $840,000 to support six racing events and 12 infrastructure projects at the Stony Creek Racecourse.
It's all happening this Saturday, November 30 at the popular Woolamai Racecourse, and continues on at Woolamai on December 21 and 28, then over to Stony Creek for their first race meeting of the year on Monday, December 30.
Racing at the track gets underway on Monday December 30.
