The annual Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Raceday held at Caulfield on September 23 raised a record $190,000 for 19 local charities and community groups.

The stunning financial result, which sees a major increase of $61,000 raised year-on-year was a culmination of monies raised through general admission ticket sales, the on selling of raceday sponsorship packages, hospitality and various on-course activations including the Pin And Win program.

Additionally, each charity was given the opportunity to select a runner from the feature race of the day, the G3 Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (Naturalism Stakes), with the prize money won from the top three place getters donated to their three associated charities.

This saw Living Legends receive a $20,000 bonus due to the winning deeds of Harlem whom also earnt automatic entry into the BMW Caulfield Cup on October 21. $10,000 was awarded to Pinchapoo and $5,000 to Fight Cancer Foundation with their selected horses Samovare and Stampede filling in the respective minor placings.

MRC Foundation Chairman Patricia Faulkner was delighted with the exceptional result of $190,000.

“This is our fourth successful Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Raceday and we are enormously proud of the achievements to have raised $190,000 through this program.

“We greatly appreciate the continued support of Bendigo Bank East Malvern, Victorian Government and our charity partners.

“Importantly, the generosity of the community and tireless efforts of the volunteers and employees within each charity cannot be underestimated, because we simply wouldn’t be in this position without their hard work and dedication.”