AND the winner is … Kerang.
The 2025 $30,000 cluBarham Kerang Cup has been run and won and the biggest winner of all was the Kerang economy courtesy of the thousands who packed the town’s racetrack, filled its accommodation and spent up on meals.
And the centenary of the Kerang Lawn Tennis Club’s Easter Tournament – also playing to a sellout crowd – was the icing on the cake.
Kerang Turf Club president Colleen Shay could not keep the smile off her face as she watched the people pour in for the eight-race card.
She said tables the length of the straight were filled to overflowing, catering battled hard to keep up and people loved the extra facilities such as the Cleo’s Kitchen food van.
“We’re still finalising numbers but we easily had close to 1500 people there on the day – the weather was perfect, the racing was fantastic and the whole thing had such a great feel about it,” Ms Shay said.
“Of course the Fashions on the Field were a huge hit and what an amazing story when Emilia Jansson took out Lady of the Day 20 years after winning what was called the Miss Classy You in 2005,” she said.
“You could not write that – because Emilia lives in Finland and had come out for a holiday and entered at the last minute.”
Ms Shay said despite the tough economic conditions the businesses and people of Kerang had dug deep with sponsorship and support to make the whole day work.
She said the turf club would not be as successful as it has been without that depth of community backing.
“And with cluBarham as our major sponsor for 19 years, we are looking forward to 2026 and a 20th anniversary of our partnership – I think it will be something very special,” she said.
