Ballina goes racing on Friday, July 23
The Ballina Tourism Hospitality race day, featuring the Gem Array Ballina Bracelet, will be held at the Ballina Jockey Club on Friday, July 23.
It will be the inaugural Ballina Tourism & Hospitality race day.
Secretary for Ballina Tourism & Hospitality, Dave Heggie, said: “Ballina Tourism & Hospitality is the private sector tourism industry’s membership body. Our aim is to drive the growth of businesses involved in tourism and hospitality in the Ballina and hinterland area.
“This race day is a wonderful concept which highlights the local businesses that provide such a high standard of products and services for tourists.”
The Ballina Tourism & Hospitality Cup is a Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1300m.
As well as sponsoring the race, Gem Array also is providing a bracelet for presentation to the winner of the race.
Club CEO Sarah Wills said: “We are delighted that Gem Array are joining with us not only for this year’s Bracelet but also to work together to develop the race back into the pre-eminent race that it used to be in years gone past.”
The principal of Gem Array, Connie Bidwell, said: “We have not had any previous experience with racing but we see our involvement with the Jockey Club and the Bracelet as a natural fit with our business.”
Other races are being sponsored by well-known names such as Fleurs Restaurant, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina Byron, Northern Rivers Trike and Bike Tours, Buddha Gardens Day Spa, Ballina North Coast Party Hire and The Australian Hotel.
Thrifty Rental are sponsoring a Punters Club to raise money for people affected by the Lennox Head tornado.
The Chairman of the Ballina Jockey Club, Robert Pitt, said: “We are very happy to be hosting this event for the association and plan to work with them to build this day into being one of the major race meetings of the year. The fact that Gem Array have come on board to sponsor the Bracelet is also a very positive development and we very much welcome their involvement.”
