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By Mark Brassel

Gosford’s annual Saturday stand-alone meeting this week provides not just an outstanding race program offering huge prizemoney, but it’s a shot in the arm to clubs, pubs and local businesses throughout the vast Central Coast region.

Gosford Race Club hosts its huge The Coast Raceday this Saturday. Image by Bradley Photographers

Just half an hour in any direction from Gosford are endless stretches of beaches – pristine waterways ideal for swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking – stylish coastal towns, national parks, and opportunities for horse riding and mountain biking.

The city of Gosford is just over an hour’s drive north from Sydney and 90 minutes south from Newcastle or catch the train directly from Sydney to Gosford Station with buses ferrying racegoers to the course.

The Hon. David Harris, Minister for Gaming and Racing, said: “The atmosphere trackside at Gosford for this year’s Coast Raceday will be electric with locals and tourists expected to pack the Club’s Entertainment Grounds for their biggest event of the year.

“Events like the Coast Raceday are a win-win for the Central Coast with racing generating almost $85 million in economic activity locally, of which Thoroughbred racing is responsible for more than $71 million.

“There are more than 2,600 people participating in the industry on the Central Coast including employees, trainers, owners and volunteers and approximately 728 full-time equivalent employees.”

Gosford Race Club branded its surrounds as ‘The Entertainment Grounds’ and is considered the premier events location on the Central Coast – an indoor/outdoor, multi-purpose facility for functions, events, festivals, concerts, weddings, exhibitions, and Thoroughbred racing.

As one of the leading Provincial race clubs in NSW, Gosford hosts around 24 race meetings a year offering a selection of delicious hospitality packages, held in one of the many function spaces overlooking the racecourse and mountainous backdrop.

Gosford Race Club’s CEO, Daniel Lacey, said: “The Coast Raceday – which is now in its fourth year – goes from strength to strength and brings economic benefit not just to the Club, but to the Central Coast region.

“It’s a fantastic raceday that boats more than $2.1 million in prizemoney and the knock-on effect for local restaurants, accommodation and retailers should not be understated.”

Peter Lawley OAM, president of Gosford Erina Business Chamber concurred: “We are delighted with The Coast Raceday on Saturday May 11 – it’s a great initiative of Racing NSW and an event that The Entertainment Grounds does so very well.

“The past three years we’ve seen this event, there have been capacity crowds at Gosford Racecourse and the flow-on to local motels, venues and other businesses has been a great economic boost to all.

“The City of Gosford is in the process of being revitalised through major developments and the annual The Coast Raceday is an event that Gosford Erina Business Chamber strongly believes will become a major occasion for the region into the future.

“Well done to Racing NSW and The Entertainment Grounds CEO, Daniel Lacey, his support staff and the directors on this great event that is so professionally run.”

Saturday’s massive 10-race program is highlighted by the $500,000 The Coast (1600m) and the $300,000 Listed-Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) with the winner of the latter gaining eligibility for the $3m Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November.

For more information go to the website – The Entertainment Grounds