Over $25,000 was raised for local community groups at Sandown Park’s annual ‘Man’s Night’ last night.
More than 1500 people packed the View Road circuit for the Grand Final public holiday eve race meeting, including more than 600 diners. In addition to an exciting night of greyhound racing, patrons enjoyed a series of games and activities including racing simulators, darts, table pool, basketball, air hockey, pinball and a bucking bull. Gold coin donations and tin rattling raised several thousand dollars for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, which was later topped up to $10,000 by the Club.
The PCFA was also a beneficiary of the success of the on-course Punters Club. Despite a number of roughies saluting on the night (no favourites won and half of all winners paid $10 or more), Punters Club host punter Troy Little managed to return $50 for a $20 outlay. That payout was rounded down with the difference seeing more than $1200 of Punters Club winnings donated to the PCFA, a decision that proved very popular among the winning punters.
Adding to the AFL Grand Final flavour of the night, half of all patrons won a $10 mystery bet after Felton Bale won race 8 while decked in the Sydney Swans colours.
There was $10,000 up for grabs in the final of the popular Club Challenge series. Media personality and ex-footballer Rex Hunt hosted a series of keenly contested games and competitions – including a pie eating competition – with Ashwood Football Netball Club emerging victorious to collect the $5000 winners cheque. The Moorabbin Kangaroos finished second and pocketed $3000, while Lilydale Bowling Club and Scoresby Football Club tied for third and won $1000 each.
Meanwhile, the Noble Park and Springvale City Rotary Clubs held a fund raising function in support of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The Rotarians raised $6000 for the Library which aims to improve childhood literacy for children by giving them a free, high quality age-appropriate each month from birth to age 5.
The night also marked 50 days until the world’s richest greyhound race, the $600,000 TAB Melbourne Cup which will be run on Friday 18 November. Limited dining is still available for greyhound racing’s night of nights, visit www.superdogs.com.au for details.
Click here for the results on the track.
