Written By: Perth Racing

A spectacular 2009/10 Festival of Perth Racing has ended, and despite the economic downturn worldwide, as well as the immense pressure on the racing industry nationwide to earn the competitive entertainment dollar, attendances and wagering were winners.

Perth Racing is proud to announce that wagering and attendances on the four Festival of Perth Racing feature days were up on recent years.

Carlton Draught Railway Stakes Day, Player Winterbottom Stakes Day, Go for 2 & 5 Kingston Town Classic Day and BMW Perth Cup Day attracted combined total attendances of 50 000, up 7.55% on last year.

Oncourse turnover on the before mentioned days was a little over $5.2million, up 4.80% on two years ago and a shade down on last year.

The Perth Racing product was popular with punters nationally, with rises not only locally on TAB turnover, but big lifts on all interstate betting pools.

Tabcorp Victoria?s combined partners were up 22% on two years ago and our feature local events rose 67.90%, with Tabcorp Victoria?s own pools rising 57.67%.

The 2010 BMW Perth Cup was a huge success not only on the track, but with on-course patrons.

A crowd close to 24 000 attended the big day, with only one arrest and 10 move-on notices recorded.

In a period where public events have been marred by drunkenness and violent behaviour, local racegoers must be commended on the way they handled themselves on BMW Perth Cup Day.

Perth Racing made a concerted effort to work closely with local Police, liquor licensing and their on-course security to make it a safe and enjoyable afternoon for all on-course attendees.

The total attendance on BMW Perth Cup Day was up 21.05% on last year, and some new initiatives including the stalls and picnic at the cup areas look something that will grow in the future.

On-course sales on BMW Perth Cup Day were up to $1.8million, up 10.99% on 2009.

Total wagering sales on all Perth races and the BMW Perth Cup were very similar to results of last year.

Overall there is no doubt interest in the Perth Racing product is continuing to grow locally and nationally.

Perth Racing has extended a congratulations to their industry participants on how they competed during the 2009/10 Festival of Perth Racing.

It is onwards and upwards in the coming years!

For more information please contact:

Marty Young

Media Executive Perth Racing

Ph: (08) 9277 0737