Sale has been chosen as the destination to host the first Good Friday race meeting in Victoria, pending State Government approval.

Racing is currently prohibited in Victoria on Good Friday and Christmas Day, however the State Government introduced a bill into Parliament last month seeking to amend the Racing Act 1958.

It is anticipated the Bill will be debated in Parliament over the coming weeks to allow racing to be conducted on Good Friday from as early as next year.

Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria announced plans last month for a feature annual race meeting to be held in regional Victoria to launch the Easter weekend of racing.

The destination event is designed to support tourism in regional Victoria and would see thoroughbred racing join the AFL, NRL and NBL in conducting professional sport on Good Friday within Victoria.

RV and CRV are also planning for the feature race meeting to support their fundraising efforts for the Good Friday Appeal, currently the official charity partner of the All-Star Mile.

Entry fees from the All-Star Mile has seen RV donate $150,000 to the Appeal over the past three years.

Giles Thompson, RV chief executive, said the rotation of the Good Friday meeting around regional Victoria was a way of promoting racing year-round.

“Sale is one of our leading country racetracks and a Good Friday race day would provide a wonderful opportunity to work with the local community to promote the broader Gippsland region and to showcase country racing at its best,” Thompson said.

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au