Geelong Cup launched at Little Creatures

THE Bet365 Geelong Cup has been launched in style, with more than 75 guests gathering at Little Creatures Brewery to kick off what will be one of the biggest race days of the year.

At the event, held yesterday (October 5), Geelong Racing Club chief executive officer Luke Rayner said the excitement was palpable heading into what will be another classic race on October 19.

“2019 was the last race we had, and we are super-excited,” Rayner said.

“We are nearly at a sell-out for the event, which is just great. There is approximately 5,000 corporate tickets on sale, we’ve got about 100 left.”

This year, the Geelong Racing Club is celebrating the 20- year anniversary of the journey that paved the way to one of Australia’s greatest sporting moments – Media Puzzle winning the Geelong Cup/Melbourne Cup double.

Rayner said the story of jockey Damien Oliver and Media Puzzle was ideal for the narrative and marketing of this year’s race.

“The Media Puzzle story is just a great fit: 20 years, a Geelong Cup win, the unfortunate death of [Damien’s] brother Jason and then Melbourne Cup victory,” he said.

“It still brings tears to my eyes watching the video.

“Damien rides in Geelong often and when we reached out to him, he was only too happy to be involved.

“He took us on a journey and spoke us through what it meant to him and the synergy that he has with the Geelong Racing Club and the race.

“He’s been unbelievable and only too happy to be involved with it all.”

The Bet365 Geelong Cup is attended by about 12,000 Geelong Racing Club members, sponsors, racing enthusiasts, the business community of Geelong, and horse owners and trainers.

The race day will allow businesses to showcase their products and services as well as give them an opportunity to network among their peers.

It will also support the local economy and continue to raise the profile of Geelong as being a major event city.

For more information on the Geelong Cup and for last minute tickets, head to thegeelongcup.com.au