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The Gong Raceday - Saturday 22nd November 2025

The Illawarra Turf Club presents

The Gong Raceday - Saturday 22nd November 2025

11:00am, Sat 22 November, 2025
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  • General Admission
    A General Admission ticket is all you need to experience Kembla Grange Racecourse’s biggest day of the year. Explore all the public areas, bars, and betting ring and choose between cheering the horses home from the grandstand viewing platform or positioning yourself right on the fence as they thunder down the straight. Pre-purchase your general admission ticket to save. This ticket includes: •Racecourse admission •Access to the public lawn, betting ring, grandstand viewing platform, and tie up stalls viewing lane •Access to bars, cafes, and food stalls •Access to bookmaking facilities
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    • General Admission Sales Close: 8:00am, Sat 22 Nov, 2025
      Details
      $30.00
  • Lawn Marquee Reserved Seating
    Immerse yourself in the heart of the action in the Lawn Marquee. Whether you’re having a celebration or getting together just because, it is the ideal spot for groups of all sizes and ages. The open sided, permanent structure provides shelter from the elements, has its own bar, and is just a few steps from the home straight, the stables, the betting ring, food trucks and the public lawn. Racegoers can also bring their own picnic; however, BYO alcohol or any beverages is strictly prohibited. *Bar tabs can be arranged prior to race day. *If your group is under multiple bookings, please notify the club so you can be seated together. *Groups smaller than 14 may be required to share a table.
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    • Lawn Marquee Reserved Seating Sales Close: 6:00pm, Sat 22 Nov, 2025
      Details
      $85.00
  • Members Lounge & Rose Garden
    Enjoy a great day at the races in our Member’s lounge & access to the Rose Garden Precinct. With TAB facilities, bar, catering & a private lawn area attached to the mounting yard. •Members bar access including general admission. *Over 18's only permitted in the Member’s bar. * Dress regulations apply
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    • Members Lounge & Rose Garden Sales Close: 6:00pm, Sat 22 Nov, 2025
      Details
      $50.00
  • Grandstand Bistro
    The Grandstand Bistro is the ideal base to enjoy everything a day at Kembla Grange Racecourse has to offer. Located on the first floor of the grandstand overlooking the home straight, the bistro provides easy access to bars, the betting ring, and the trackside lawn where all the action happens. *Most dietary requirements can be catered for. Please notify the club of any special needs or requests at least 2 weeks in advance.
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    • Grandstand Bistro Sales Close: 8:00am, Sat 22 Nov, 2025
      Details
      $140.00
    • Grandstand Bistro Premium Window Sales Close: 8:00am, Sat 22 Nov, 2025
      Details
      $160.00
  • Ken Brown Dining Room
    Treat yourself to Illawarra Turf Club’s premium race day experience in the Ken Brown Dining Room. Indulge in modern Australian cuisine while taking in 180-degree views of the winning post and mounting yard through floor-to-ceiling windows on the first floor of the grandstand. *Most dietary requirements can be catered for. Please notify the club of any special needs or requests at least 2 weeks in advance. *Over 18's only permitted on this day in the Dining Room (unless written consent is given from The Board of Directors or CEO) *Dress regulations apply in the Ken Brown Dining Room.
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    • Ken Brown Dining Room Sales Close: 8:00am, Sat 22 Nov, 2025
      Details
      $300.00
  • AJ Bert Lillye Lounge
    Experience the buzz of race day combined with the sophistication of a special event in The A.J. Bert Lillye Lounge. The spacious function centre is ideally located adjacent to the mounting yard and winning post and is enclosed by floor-to-ceiling windows. Its private courtyard offers the best vantage point to watch the pre-race parade and uninterrupted views down the home straight. With a large bar, internal bathrooms, TAB and tote facilities, and table seating for up to 380 guests, it is perfect space to spend the day. . *Over 18's only permitted on this day in the Dining Room (unless written consent is given from The Board of Directors or CEO)
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    • AJ Bert Lillye Lounge Sales Close: 6:00pm, Sat 22 Nov, 2025
      Details
      $240.00
      Allocation Exhausted
  • Little Gong Beer Garden
    Meet your friends in the Little Gong Beer Garden and soak in the atmosphere of a popular pub on a sunny afternoon just metres from the home straight. A ticket opens the gate to the exclusive Little Gong precinct featuring the Cloud9 Bar & rooftop DJ and all General Admission areas. *Over 18's only permitted into Little Gong Beer Garden
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    • Little Gong Beer Garden Sales Close: 8:00am, Sat 22 Nov, 2025
      Details
      $60.00
  • Track Precinct
    There’s no place to get closer to the action than the Track Precinct. Unlock access to a premium trackside location with the convenience of reserved seating and a private bar plus all General Admission inclusions. Shade not guaranteed. . *Over 18's only permitted in this area
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    • Track Precinct Sales Close: 8:00am, Sat 22 Nov, 2025
      Details
      $65.00
  • Private Marquee
    This year we have some private spaces available. These private marquees are located on our public lawn and are a great new area for companies or private groups. Please contact our Hospitality Manager on 42 617 211 for more information.
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    • Private Marqee On Sale: 7:00pm, Sat 22 Nov, 2025
      Details
      $0.00
      Closed
  • Private Lounges
    To book our exclusive lounges please contact on (02) 4261 7211 or catering@illawarraturf.com.au Enjoy the races like a celebrity in one of our brand-new private lounges. Each of the four lounges seats 10 people making them ideal for small groups looking to elevate their experience. The lounges are perfectly positioned in the heart of the action just steps from the bar, bookmakers, public lawn, and home straight. Guests in the private lounges have access to an exclusive gourmet menu that’s not available anywhere else on course and includes cold seafoods platters, charcuterie boards, and chef’s canape selections. Reserve your lounge and make your next race day unforgettable.
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    • Private Lounges - Trackside Public Bar On Sale: 7:00pm, Sat 22 Nov, 2025
      Details
      $0.00
      Allocation Exhausted
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* Total price is in AUD and includes GST and service fees.
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Event Details

Be trackside for Kembla Grange’s biggest race day of the year, the running of the $1m GONG RACE!

Experience the excitement of the Spring Carnival at The Illawarra Turf Club’s premier race meeting, The Gong. Held annually in November, The Gong combines elite racing with premium hospitality, live entertainment, and a vibrant atmosphere for an unforgettable day out on the coast. 


$2.5million in prize money is on offer across the ten-race program headlined by The Gong, a 1600m quality handicap that was introduced in 2019 as part of Racing NSW’s extended Spring Carnival. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength and that was recognised in 2024 when the $1million race was elevated to Group 3 status. 


The Gong is supported by The Warra, a 1000m sprint with a purse of $300,000 that was introduced in 2021 and upgraded to a Group 3 in 2024. Local businesses can join The Warra Club for a chance to win exclusive naming rights for The Warra in 2025. 


Off the track enjoy live entertainment on the Public Lawn all day, a DJ to keep the party going after the last, and free buses to get you safely home. Dress to impress and enter Fashions On The Field for a chance to win some great prizes.


The Gong is run as a metropolitan standalone meeting and has the honour of being the finale of the NSW Spring Carnival. It attracts the best horses and jockeys in Australia and has been embraced as an unmissable social event.