Mark Dwyer, club manager of the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club, believes the three local racing codes are looking at an outstanding window of opportunity in March and April in regard to cross-code advertising and promotion.
His comments this week follow the Mount Gambier Racing Club announcement of the Gold Cup cocktail evening on Wednesday, March 30 which will be followed with a Calcutta the following night and the Gold Cup on Friday, April 1.
On the night of April 1, the Mount Gambier Harness Racing Club will conduct its Calcutta prior to the running of its Gold Cup, in conjunction with heats of the SA Derby, on Saturday, April 2.
Then on Sunday afternoon (April 3), heats of the Carlin & Gazzard MG Mount Gambier Cup for greyhounds will be decided at Tara Raceway.
“Quality-wise, this will be our best day’s racing of the year,” said Dwyer. “With the upgrade to Group 3 status, the 512 metre cup heats will attract some of the best greyhounds and trainers in the land chasing the $25,000 to the winner of the final which will be run on Sunday, April 10.”
Dwyer said producing Facebook pages could work in well for the three codes, as would liaising with the local papers.
“We should be trying to get front and back page stories of the events with the three codes all having input. Updates on horses and greyhounds of note that may be coming to participate would also be of interest.
“This could be the start of annual event if the three codes can come together on dates.
“Summing up, for not much cost there could be a lot of bang.”