1987 Australian Cup winner Regal Post with owners-trainers and breeders Bill and Ann Salter. Bill Salter moved to Pearcedale in the late 70s and as he’ll tell you himself, never looked back.
He joined the Cranbourne GRC committee in the mid-1980s when Fred Booth was president, rose through the ranks, served as club president and gave 25 years to this club before the Minister for Racing, Rob Hulls, appointed him to the GRV Board.
Oh, and in between all of that, he trained 1987 Australian Cup winner Regal Post. Just quietly.
The 1980s and 90s Bill describes are the kind of nights clubs only dream about. Six bookmakers in the ring. A standing crowd of 600 on a big night. The club running the tote, free admission becoming the norm, supper laid on in the committee room after every race meeting.
“Ross Mitchell had supper available in the committee room during and after the meeting. Winners, stewards, staff… pretty well everyone was welcome. On some race nights we left there near midnight. They were great days.”
Bill also recalls celebrity appearances, cricket legends arriving for Cup nights and the genuine community the club had built around itself.
“Saturday night was the perfect night to get a crowd. It was the only place to place a bet.”
Twenty-five years of service, a Ken Carr Medal connection and a 1987 Australian Cup winner. That’s a Cranbourne legend. 🐾
