THERE are roughly 340km of roads separating the Dunkeld and Pakenham racing clubs.
But there was nothing to separate them in the race for Country Racing Victoria’s most
prestigious award.
The Dunkeld Racing Club and the Pakenham Racing Club were named joint winners of the
CrownBet Country Racing Victoria Club of the Year Award at the CrownBet 2015/16 Country Racing Victoria Awards.
It was the first time joint winners had been awarded since 2009 and only the second time in the history of the awards.
Country Racing Victoria chief executive Scott Whiteman said it was simply too hard to split
them.
“The judging panel has a long list of criteria to consider, and these two clubs were the standout performers across the board,” he said.
“Pakenham was a real workhorse for the racing industry this season, while the Dunkeld Cup
was a spectacular success. While these clubs operate at vastly different ends of the spectrum, they each delivered outstanding results for the 2015/16 season and are worthy winners.”
The Pakenham Racing Club hosted 48 race days during the season, while improving its
training facilities and financial performance.
PRC chief executive Michael Hodge said the award was further recognition of the club’s first-class facilities at Racing.com Park.
“Being crowned the CrownBet Country Racing Victoria Club of the Year is a dream come true for us,” he said.
“We conducted a record number of race meetings, successfully launched night racing, further enhanced our horse training facilities and sold out Stage 1 and Stage 2 of our trainer
allotments.
“We also opened our new $15 million Club Officer gaming venue and delivered a profit in
excess of $5 million in what has been an amazing year of highlights.”
The most hotly-contested award of the evening was the Kelly Sports Country Racing Victoria Event of the Year category, which had 11 events shortlisted.
The 2015 Telstra Business Centre Wodonga Gold Cup came out on top, the club making the most of the local public holiday it had secured the previous year.
The night’s other major award, the CrownBet Country Racing Victoria Horse of the Year, went to Echuca champ Leveraction.
The Daryl Archard-trained veteran took out the Gunbower and Echuca cups in what turned out to be his final campaign before retirement due to a tendon injury.
More than 500 people attended the event at the Ballarat Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre.
