KOROIT Football Netball Club’s biggest fund-raiser is under threat from a rival event.
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The club has hosted its Sports Lovers Night on the Tuesday night of May race week for the past six years.
Melbourne's Mark Scaife will tackle the existing event head-on by offering a black-tie function inviting top trainers, celebrities and guests under the banner of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Rockstars of Racing Celebrity Dinner.
Warrnambool-bred racing syndicator and breeder Darren Dance of ATB is the naming rights sponsor of the event, which will see Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir and former champion jockeys John Letts, Pat Hyland and Malcolm Johnson attend.
Scaife, who has hosted racing lunches for the past decade across the country, played down the fact both functions would clash.
It takes a lot of money to field footy and netball sides for the year.
- Alistair McCosh
“We're playing to a different market than the footy club,” he said. “Our event is nearly sold out. We should have 300 people there. We'll attract middle-aged males and females. We've being working on this racing event since late last year.
“We promote thoroughbred racing to a sophisticated audience based on value-for-money and great entertainment.”
Koroit executive member Alistair McCosh said the club was disappointed to hear about the plans.
“It's sad to hear of another event but we'll have to work hard to attract new personalities. We raise over $20,000 from the night including memorabilia sales,” he said.
“The function raised different money for the club.
“It meant we didn’t have to go out and hit our valuable sponsors for extra money.
“It takes a lot of money to field footy and netball sides for the year.”
The ATB function has legal eagle David Galbally AM QC as its keynote speaker and sports broadcaster Tiffany Cherry is host. Stand-up comedian Paul Martell headlines the live entertainment.
Champion jumps jockey Steve Pateman and top jumps trainer Eric Musgrove will attend, while local trainers Symon Wilde, Jarrod McLean and Daniel Bowman have shown interest.
Special guests attending include Warrnambool mayor Kylie Gaston, Warrnambool Racing Club chairman Des Roberts and RVL chief handicapper Greg Carpenter.
Scaife said his function would support local charity, the Leila Rose Foundation.
