Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has reported an increase in wagering turnover on last month’s October Allied Express Victoria Cup night compared to the January 2017 Victoria Cup meeting.
While wagering on the Victoria Cup race itself was down 8% compared to the previous staging of the race, wagering across the October 14 program was 5% higher than the January 28 meeting.
Last month’s Allied Express Victoria Cup program – held on the same night as the inaugural Everest sprint and the Caulfield Guineas – saw turnover up 36% on the corresponding Melton trots meeting that followed the Guineas in 2016.
HRV reported that about 2500 people attended Allied Express Victoria Cup night with a mix of families and children on the lawn enjoying the racing, trackside activities and the popular food truck precinct.
The bistro at Tabcorp Park Melton was full and the Toolern Room well-attended.
“It was a great to see a big crowd enjoying a night at the trots,” HRV CEO David Martin said.
“On the wagering front we are pleased to report positive turnover trends, with a 5% increase across the night on overall turnover, even when factoring in a slight downturn on the Cup itself due to a short-priced favourite drawing the pole.
“Lennytheshark was a popular winner of the Allied Express Victoria Cup and we wish him and all the Victorian horses heading to the Perth Inter Dominion the very best of luck.”
Cody Winnell