Canberra Community Chest to unite equine and community heroes
The Canberra Racing Club is proud to announce the launch of the Canberra Community Chest, an innovation race that will see 12 local charities and community groups racing with 12 equine heroes for their share of a $50,000 charity chest.
To be held on Saturday, 25 November, the Canberra Community Chest will be run as a Quality Open Handicap over 1400m and is worth $250,000, with $200,000 prizemoney pool and $50,000 to be shared between the 12 charity and community partners with a meaningful connection to the Canberra region.
The selection of charity and community partners will be made by an independent committee with Canberra Business Chamber Chair Archie Tsirimokos, Clubs ACT’s Operations Manager Kate Palmer and Region Media’s Group Editor Genevieve Jacobs AM have been tasked with determining the most appropriate partners.
The panel will select 11 partners with all remaining eligible partners then going for a people’s choice award to determine the final beneficiary.
Each of the charity partners will be invited to a Black-Tie event prior the Canberra Community Chest where a representative will draw the equine hero racing for their charity.
Canberra Racing Club Chief Executive Darren Pearce said “Racing people are generous and love helping the community. This race day brings the community and racing together in a new and exciting way.”
“We are dedicated to being a force for good within the Canberra community and this is a great opportunity to give back through a top quality race day and event showcasing the best of regional produce and hospitality.”
“It will be a true celebration of Canberra with purpose, for our community.”
To complement what will be a strong program, the Canberra Racing Club has introduced the ‘Single Gaze’, a Benchmark 75 for Fillies & Mares over 1200m worth $40,000. The race celebrates Canberra’s darling, Single Gaze, the Nick Olive-trained Group 1 winner who finished runner up in the 2016 Caulfield Cup.
Affinity Electrical Technologies, a wonderful supporter of Canberra racing and the local community, has signed on as sponsors of the new race day and will gain naming rights to the inaugural Single Gaze.
Affinity Electrical Technologies have been a sponsor of the Canberra Racing Club for over 10 years and have chosen to support this event because of their strong commitment to the Canberra community, something that sets them apart in their industry.
Affinity Electrical Technologies Managing Director Brendan Read said, “We are thrilled to support what is a truly community focused event.”
“We are all about Canberra and we share the values and goals of this concept which hopes to give back to our community.”
“We share the Club’s hopes that the Canberra Community Chest can build into one of Canberra’s biggest race days and community giving events.”
The introduction of the Canberra Community Chest makes part of a revamped Spring calendar that will include other popular events such as TAB Melbourne Cup Race Day (Tuesday, 7 November) and the Hops & Hooves Festival (Saturday, 23 September).
“It is pivotal for us to be at the forefront of Canberra’s mind in the Spring, a season synonymous with Thoroughbred racing.” Canberra Racing Club Chief Executive Darren Pearce said.
“It is a brilliant time of year in the Nation’s Capital and we’re excited to provide the Canberra community with another wonderful opportunity to enjoy top-class racing with purpose.”
Charities, community group & sporting clubs are invited to apply to be involved in the Canberra Community Chest via Thoroughbred Park’s website.