Summer crowd surges as Super Saturday hits record high

SUN, style and a swelling crowd set the pace at Geelong Racing Club’s (GRC) Super Saturday at the weekend, with a record amount of racegoers making for a bumper summer turnout.

A crowd of 6,138 people entered the gates and enjoyed quality racing and plenty of family fun on a warm afternoon.

Attendance was up 100 per cent in comparison to last year’s edition, with GRC chief executive officer Luke Rayner elated about how the day turned out.

“I would say the day was a great success,” he said.

“I think in terms of the feedback we’ve received thus far from the majority, it’s considered a really successful event for the club.

“It was just fantastic to see people come out and support the club and support a great event, one we hope will grow into an annual pilgrimage for many families that are either existing on the Geelong and Surf Coast or visiting the area.”

With family-friendliness a key focus on the day, children were not short of entertainment, with rides and fun activities taking over the track.

“There were a heap of families and a heap of kids, and that was fantastic to see given the investment the club had made in family and child-friendly activities,” Rayner said.

The club now looks forward to its next meet on January 14 – the Twilight Kids Extravaganza, which will offer the same family fun.

Those with tickets from last weekend’s Super Saturday will be able to attend for free.

“It promises to be a great family day once again, so pretty much 90 per cent of everything that was there last weekend will be retained for Wednesday’s meeting,” Rayner said.

“We’re certainly hoping to attract again that visiting population that might be down at caravan parks or the like and bring the kids out for what will be an awesome day.”

Following the races, a night cinema will screen The Smurfs on the Winning Post hill, with families encouraged to stick around to enjoy the movie.

For more information, head to the Geelong Racing Club website.