Family fun and racing thrills as Super Saturday returns

THERE will be plenty happening at the Geelong Racing Club as Super Saturday on the Coast returns tomorrow (Saturday, January 4) with entertainment on and off the track.

The race meeting attracted just under 5,000 people at last year’s inaugural event and organisers hope to surpass this figure in 2025.

Horse enthusiasts can experience metro-calibre racing in the country with 10 races running across the day.

The races will be headlined by the $300,000 Coastal Classic and the Geelong Diamond, with the winner getting an exemption into the prestigious Blue Diamond Stakes.

Geelong Racing Club chief executive officer Luke Rayner said there would be plenty on offer across the day with entertainment for the whole family.

“It’s going to be an amazing precinct where families upon entry will be able to grab a picnic table, umbrella or piece of lawn and settle themselves there for the whole day.

“The kids will be entertained, whether it be through the water slides, the paddle boats, the animal farm, face painting, roving performers, jugglers, a hula hoop dancer – it’s all down there.”

General admission ticketholders will have access to the mounting yard bar, Canadian Club Lounge and the Furphy Lawn Precinct with food and beverages, while the Sound Lounge will feature acoustic music and live bands.

Community Cup participants will be trackside, with community groups entering a raffle for the chance to win a share of $40,000 in prize money.

In the event’s second year, Mr Rayer said the Geelong Racing Club had focused on growing what worked well in 2024.

“The family zone was a real hit, so we’ve gone larger in that area. The parents and the kids can expect a much larger area and much more entertainment for the kids.

“We haven’t changed it too much – we’ve tried to strengthen the areas that really did work well and they were the community precinct, the Furphy Lawn and the kids’ area.”

This year’s event will also introduce the Ladbrokes Hole in One Golf Game, with $5,000 up for grabs for anyone who is able to achieve the feat.

Mr Rayner said Super Saturday on the Coast was designed to be a casual and relaxed day, and one of the highlights for him was that the event catered to everyone.

“If you’re a punter, it’s going to be 10 amazing races; if you’re a family with children, they’re going to have an absolute ball.

“If you’re just a casual person that wants to come and experience some great food, have a drink and listen to some acoustic music or some live bands, then that’s a great day as well.”

For ticket and, more information, head to country.racing.com/geelong