Geelong Racing Club reveals 2023/24 event dates

Crowds are set to flock back to Geelong Racecourse this season, as they did for Geelong Cup Day last year. Photos: MARCEL BERENS/SPORTS MEDIA IMAGES

GEELONG Racing Club has unveiled its event calendar for the coming season ahead of the racing calendar flipping to 2024/24 tomorrow (August 1).

Geelong Racecourse will host 26 meetings between now and July next year, highlighted by a standalone Saturday metropolitan grade race meeting on January 6.

The bet365 Geelong Cup will retain its late-October slot (Wednesday, October 25) while the traditional Boxing Day meet will shift to the following day, December 27.

Other features include a Father’s Day meeting (Sunday, September 3), the Girls on Track race day (Sunday, November 19), Christmas Party event (Friday, December 15) and Easter Tuesday (April 2).

GRC CEO Luke Rayner said the club was excited with the coming season.

“There has been much change in programming for the 2023/24 season and we are delighted with what Racing Victoria with the support of Country Racing Victoria have allocated to us.

“The Friday racedays allows us to continue many successful partner relationships and charities, the Geelong Cup once again sits proudly within the Spring Carnival and a key lead in race opportunity to the Melbourne Cup whilst securing a metro grade raceday on Saturday January 6th is something we have pursued for some 10 years now.”

Mr Rayner also said he was confident that a change of date of the picnic races day to after Boxing Day wouldn’t have a drastic impact on the club’s Christmas period.

“Whilst the club will no longer host a meeting on Boxing Day we believe by only being a day later on the December 27 we can still attract a similar crowd, most still on holidays, day two of the cricket live and that relaxed atmosphere that all are after post a busy Christmas/Boxing Day period.”

For membership, corporate or dining opportunities, visit www.grc.com.au.