By Glen Atwell
SIX Group 1 wins, $3 million in stakes, and four white socks.
Baldy-faced chestnut mare Apache Cat is the face of Cranbourne Turf Club’s Sunday Racing Strategy.
Greg Eurell’s prize sprinter made a celebrity appearance at Cranbourne racecourse on Friday, as the club revealed ideas to attract punters to its 22 Sunday race meetings in 2008/09.
A $60 membership will provide punters with access to every Sunday meeting, including the Cranbourne Cup on 12 October.
The membership also includes a priority car park and a free beer at the new Trackside Sports Bar on race days.
Sunday racing begins this weekend.
Turf club chief executive Neil Bainbridge said Apache Cat was well suited to the role of ambassador for Sunday racing.
“To keep with our break in tradition, we wanted to choose a well-known horse, and Apache Cat was a clear stand-out.
“Inside and out, Apache Cat is striking and is a great example of breaking with tradition.”
Cranbourne racecourse might soon become the first choice for residents planning a day out.
“Sunday racing provides the booming local population with the chance to attend the races without work and school commitments,” Mr Bainbridge said.
Sunday is country racing’s marquee day, topping the list for attendance and prize money.
It is also the busiest day for off-course wagering. The club expects off-course turnover to exceed $44 million in 2008/09.
Turf club committee chairman Robin Daley said the next 12 months would be an exciting chapter in the race track’s 141-year history.
“A consistent racing program gives local residents the opportunity to attend,” he said.
“The Cranbourne Turf Club and Cranbourne Training Complex contribute more than $100 million to the local economy every year.
Mr Daley also discussed growth of the racing precinct. The turf club recently commissioned a master plan, which will provide an overview of current infrastructure and opportunities.
Mr Daley said the ‘big picture’ approach was necessary to discover the precinct’s potential and deliver a centre of equine excellence.
Details of an expansion and renewal of the training complex are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Cranbourne Training Complex produced a stellar cast of group winners in the 2007/08 season.
Apache Cat enjoyed five G1 wins, and Zarita, trained by Pat Hyland, saluted twice at Group 1 level.
Bon Hoffa, trained by Wendy Kelly, won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
The Colin Davies trained Stanzout placed three times in Group One races and also won the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes.
Brom Brom, trained by Colin and Cindy Alderson, and Trick of Light, prepared by Michael Kent, also enjoyed group glory, each winning a Group 2 race in the past year.
