Racing springs into season

The 2019-20 Bunbury Turf Club season opener is only six days away and Alex Doble has his eyes set on providing one of the best entertainment options on and off the track.

Doble, who is the club’s chief executive and racing manager, believes the lengthy off-season will be worth it by the time Wednesday afternoon rolls around.

“It is quite a long off-season – or the “hibernation” as we call it,” he said. “However it does give us a great opportunity to plan and prepare for the new season.

“We are ready to go for next Wednesday and looking forward to it.”

Although the opener will be relatively straight forward in terms of programming, there will be plenty at stake on and off the course.

“It is a standard meeting,” Doble said. “But in saying that, it is always really well attended because there has been such a big break and people are keen to get back.

“Spring is in the air and people have endured a long winter, so anytime they can get out and about while enjoying the sunshine with like-minded people is a great thing.”

In a massive windfall, the club will host four consecutive Sunday meetings between December 15 and January 4, which Doble feels will become widely embraced.

“The way things have fallen this year it is a really healthy summer schedule,” he said.

“It will be a great place to be. Sitting under the shade of the trees on a sunny summer afternoon watching live racing.”

With the highly anticipated track redevelopment project beginning after the season, Doble is confident the Bunbury venue will continue to forge a path as a quality facility long-term and believes engagement with the community is critical in order to complement it.