By David Nagel
The build up to Pakenham’s richest ever raceday on Saturday 21 December will reach fever-pitch early next week when the stars of the turf put the final polish on their preparations for the big day.
Southside Racing is opening the doors at Sportsbet Pakenham on Tuesday 17 December, with its Stars and Strides Breakfast Gallops providing a behind-the-scenes look as the cup-day contenders take on their final track gallops.
Excitement is building as the time-honoured $300,000 Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) is joined by the ‘new-kid’ on the block, the $1million The Supernova (1400m), on a magnificent program of racing just four days out from Christmas.
The Stars and Strides Breakfast Gallops will pave the way for a unique event at the Cardinia Club on Racecourse Road in Pakenham just 24 hours later, with the barrier draw for both races on Wednesday 18 December.
The Cardinia Club is just a stone’s throw from the old Pakenham Racecourse, which hosted racing for the Pakenham Racing Club from 1926 through to its final ever race meeting on Friday 14 February, 2014.
That race at Racecourse Road was won by the Amy Johnston-trained Artie Royale, with Johnston (now Amy Yargi) the grand-daughter of famous jumps jockey Jim Houlahan
The first race meeting at the new track at Tynong was held on Thursday 26 March, 2015, with the first race won by the Robbie Griffiths-trained Faction; ridden by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Mark Zahra.
PAKENHAM CUP BUILD UP
TUESDAY 17 DECEMBER
What: Stars and Strides Breakfast Gallops
Where: Pakenham Racecourse
When: 6.45am to 8am
WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER
What: Cup and Supernova Barrier Draws
Where: Cardinia Club, Racecourse Road, Pakenham
When: 8.30am to 10am
*RSN927 will broadcast the barrier draw live
*Both events are ‘free’ to the community
