Pinjarra Park reap the benefits of standalone Saturday meeting

The meet was the first of two metropolitan-standard meetings on the Pinjarra Race Club’s 2016/17 calendar, and was a huge success according to general manager Michael Lodding.

Just shy of 2600 people attended the day, which is roughly a 40 per cent increase on last year’s Mandurah Cup attendance.

“It was a massive day, and it was great to see plenty of families enjoying the local race action with the standard of Perth horses,” Lodding said.

“Off-course turnover was up and we’ve received some great feedback from racing figures and attendants.”

The main race itself was won by $14 outsider Red Publisher ridden by jockey Jerry Noske, which edged out Settlers Creek and Corporate Larrikin.

The result highlights the quality of the field.

“To have a roughie come in and win probably shows that there were plenty of quality horses in the race,” Lodding said.

“It’s always a bonus for the club when the best horses from around the state come to town.”

The success of the first metropolitan meet gives the club confidence it will be able to snare another next season.

“Everything we’ve been told and all the figures we’ve received are a positive, so it would be great to get a standalone meet again next season,” Lodding said.

“We will definitely be pushing for it but we still have this season to run its course first.”

The club’s attention will now turn to its next metropolitan-standard race card, the Magic Millions WA Ladies Day.

It will be the second annual Magic Millions installment at the track with the organisation working in conjunction with Pinjarra Park and Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) with a view to developing the raceday as a key feature race meeting each season.

“Getting these types of race days allows us as a club to offer more for families and race-goers in the Peel region,” Lodding said.

“It’s encouraging to have two in the same season and hopefully we can continue to build on that moving forward.”

Pinjarra Park’s next meeting will be held on Sunday, January 15, while the club is also looking forward to the ever-popular Pinjarra Cup, set to be run on April 9.