By MICHAEL FLOYD
SANDOWN Park turned pink last night for its annual Ladies’ Night, raising almost $20,000 for the McGrath Foundation.
In what has quickly become one of the biggest nights on the club’s calendar, a huge crowd enjoyed cocktails, live music, massages and tarot card readings amongst a night full of entertainment, co-hosted by Channel 7’s Hamish McLaughlin and TAB’s Jaimee Rogers.
Geelong Cats’ star Jimmy Bartel was a special guest on the night as his wife Nadia Coppolino hosted a fashion parade featuring AFL footballers’ Jaryd Cachia, Arryn Sippos and Matt Arnot.
On the track, the night’s feature event was the Judy Hayley Memorial, named after the respected Melbourne Cup winning trainer and open to lady trainers only. It was brilliantly won by Billy Rocket in 29.74 seconds to give winning trainer Karen Leek one of the most emotional wins of her career.
“Judy was a dear friend of mine and I think about her every day,” said Leek.
“To win a race named in her honour is a real thrill and I’m delighted that so many friends and family are here to share it.”
For every winning greyhound wearing the pink vest, the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club contributed $5000 towards the McGrath Foundation. While Billy Rocket was the only winner from box 8, various fundraising efforts and assistance from sponsors and supporters helped boost the total raised for the night towards $20,000.
“Ladies Night is one of the biggest nights of the year for the club,” said Sandown Greyhound Racing Club Chairman, Geoff Dawson.
“There are almost 600 registered lady trainers in Victoria alone, including some of the best trainers in the business. Tonight recognises not only of the outstanding achievements Judy Hayley accomplished in her distinguished career, but the work of all women in our great sport.
“We’re delighted to have been able to raise almost $20,000 for the McGrath Foundation, and look forward to contributing further in April when Greyhound Racing Victoria launches its ‘Go The Pink Dog’ campaign.”
Fittingly, on a night celebrating the contribution of women to the sport of greyhound racing, 10 of the night’s 12 races were won by lady trainers, headlined by a winning treble by Kelly Bravo.
