“We sold out our Bird Cage dining package three weeks ago, which is excellent – we haven’t had pre-sale numbers this strong possibly ever. We’ve got 185 people booked in for that package, and usually it hovers around 150 or 160, so it’s very positive. Then our marquee and umbrella package sales have been strong too, so we’re pretty pumped.
“We’re in a big, beautiful recreation reserve, so there’s camping – it’s just a good vibe and a good weekend.”
While fields for the eight-race event are yet to be finalised, Ms Penfold said she expected good representation from the region’s trainers, including Horsham’s Paul Preusker who won the cup with Brawl in 2025.
Off the track, she said there would be plenty of entertainment options.
Cover band X Genz will return after a popular reception last year, while for children there will be face-painting, merch giveaways and free activities run by Kelly Sports.
Ms Penfold said the weather forecast was trending in the right direction, with initial predictions of 38-degree heat slowly dropping.
“Over the weekend we were a bit worried because the forecast was for 37 or 38 degrees, because it can be tough to manage equine welfare as well, but the forecast is coming down, which is exciting,” she said.
“I had a look on Monday morning and the forecast had come down to 35, and then I had another look in the afternoon and it was down to 34.
“Hopefully it comes down another couple of degrees – that would be ideal weather.”
The club will run free shuttle buses to and from the racecourse, from Sawell, Halls Gap and Ararat, but people must pre-book the service.
People can reserve a bus trip and book tickets online at country.racing.com/great-western.
Tickets online will be $20 until 4pm on Friday in an earlybird special, with tickets at the gate costing $25.
For more information people can call Ms Penfold on 0418 124 289 or email greatwestern@countryracing.com.au.
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