As Australia counts down to the ‘race that stops a nation’, venues count down to one of the year’s busiest days, with pack-leading promotions set to take place throughout the country.
One of the cheekiest, Nick Wills’ Balmain Pub Group is running “Horse Lotto” this year at the Greenwood Hotel, in North Sydney.
A proven favourite with patrons and punters, after several successful instalments at the Group’s Balmain Hotel, Horse Lotto offers $1200 cash to the winning person or syndicate: owner of one of 12 squares in the horse’s enclosure.
“Whichever square the horse poohs in wins the money,” Wills told PubTIC.
“There’s typically only one round, as he generally only has one in him, but it is usually perfectly timed – about 20 mins before the big race!”
The Greenwood will also be sporting a mobile TAB, which it locked in the day after last year’s Melbourne Cup, and has been promoting having “North Sydney’s official after-party” from 4pm, featuring artist Yolanda Be Cool.
PubTIC’s official partner in all things sporting reports venues continue to try to outdo each other.
“Every pub in Melbourne, if not Australia, is expected to be taking bets and/or broadcasting the Melbourne Cup Festival. It’s always been this way,” says Alex Antoniades, director Game On Live Sports.
“Venues in Melbourne are particularly busy, due to the public holiday and the long weekend.
“So we are seeing more interesting and creative ways they are trying to entice patrons in; from three-course lunch promos, complimentary drinks on arrival, and best-dressed competitions, to extravagant Spring Racing Carnival photo exhibitions, showcasing the thoroughbreds, the fashions and race-goers in their race-day best.
“Punters are spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting a venue to spend their afternoon.”
