The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) will host the inaugural Great Horse Raceday on Saturday 18 February 2017, the finale of summer racing at Flemington.
Great Horse Raceday, featuring the $750,000 Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning, will combine the excitement of world-class thoroughbred racing and a taste of Asian culture.
VRC Chief Executive Simon Love said Great Horse Raceday is designed to entice new audiences to Flemington as part of the club’s Asian strategy and reinvigorate the current offering.
“Great Horse Raceday is part of the VRC’s increased focus on engaging with Melbourne’s diverse community,” Mr Love said.
“We want to attract new racegoers and diversify the occasion for existing customers by offering a taste of our multicultural city through Asian experiences focused on racing, food and entertainment.
“The name, Great Horse Raceday, acknowledges our close ties to the Asian racing industry and the great horses we have been fortunate enough to witness at Flemington, including super mare Black Caviar.”
Off the track, Flemington’s acclaimed restaurants, including the recently refurbished Terrace, will feature a unique Asian-inspired menu, designed specifically for Great Horse Raceday.
Racegoers can also enjoy a Hawker-style experience, with pop-ups on the famous Flemington front lawns.
Adding to the excitement will be live entertainment, as well as children’s activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Racing enthusiasts can look forward to what is Flemington’s first Group 1 raceday for the new year, with the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) named in honour of the incomparable Black Caviar.
The Black Caviar Lightning marks the commencement of the 2017 Global Sprint Challenge Series, which will see the world’s best sprinters compete in a ten-race series, with US$1 million on offer to any horse that is able to win three of the ten races across three different countries.
The VRC will also celebrate a shared passion for horse racing with strategic alliance race clubs across the world, by having races named in recognition of these clubs.
“With an industry trend of declining attendances and increased competition for the discretionary dollar, the VRC recognises the need for customer engagement initiatives domestically and internationally hinged upon customer experience, collaboration and innovation that will reinvigorate current attendees and entice new audiences.
“These initiatives, including Great Horse Raceday, form part of a broader long-term customer engagement and international strategy which has seen the VRC invest significant funds into facilities, technology, innovative food offerings, entertainment, the racing program and a significant out of state program,” Mr Love said.
Tickets, including hospitality packages, can be purchased from www.flemington.com.au.
Children under 16 and accompanied by an adult are admitted free to Flemington all year round.