A (free) day at the races

THOROUGHBRED racing returns to Sportingbet Park, Sandown on March 22 for the first Saturday meeting of the racing year following the $3.2 million redevelopment.
There has been midweek racing since February 19 but this is the first, and most significant, Saturday fixture.
Saturday will be the 11th Greater Dandenong Community Race Day and it is free for the entire family – if they are local residents. Sportingbet Park, Sandown is not just the major sporting venue in the South Eastern Suburbs but a facility that the Greater Dandenong community can take pride in and Saturday, will provide the local community with the opportunity to enjoy a super free family day.
Organised by the City of Greater Dandenong Council in conjunction with the Melbourne Racing Club, Saturday will give residents of Greater Dandenong the chance to enjoy a free day of racing along with free entertainment for the children.
Greater Dandenong residents or ratepayers will gain free admission for the entire family on proof of address if they are residents with postcode 3171 to 3175.
There will be free entertainment for the children which will include a Bungee Run, Jumping Castle and Unmanned Mini Golf.
Attractive dining packages are also available and bookings can be made by phoning 9257 7100.
Race sponsors for the day include: The City of Greater Dandenong; Burbank; Telstra Business Centre (Dandenong); Hilton Manufacturing and Surdex Steel.
On the day before (Friday), there will be a ‘Business of Racing’ breakfast held at Sportingbet Park, Sandown with some leading racing identities and horses. The cost is $55 per person or corporate tables of 10 for $500. Commencing at 7am bookings can be made by ringing 8571 1576 or email sebn@cgd.vic.gov.au.
For those who have not yet ventured to Australia’s newest metropolitan racecourse it is also the chance to experience this great facility.
One of the feature races on March 22 will be the City of Greater Dandenong Cup, won last year by Chile Express, trained at Cranbourne by Rodney Griffiths and ridden by local champion jockey Craig Williams.