Cameron wins Bendigo huge prize of a trip for two to Paris

16 January 2012 - Even the connections of Bendigo Pacing Cup winner Decorated Jasper couldn’t match the smile of Cameron Wilson. The 24-year-old from Bendigo was the winner of the Bendigo Harness Racing Club’s trip to Paris competition at Lord’s Raceway on Saturday night. Cameron punched the air in delight as his name was drawn out of a box containing thousands of coupons cut out from the Bendigo Advertiser. “This is unbelievable,’’ he said. “As soon as I heard the first name was Cameron, I knew it was me. “I’ve never been overseas before, so I better get a passport organised.” Cameron and girlfriend Rachel Waight won a trip for two to Paris, including flights, accommodation and tours. “I was reading the Bendigo Advertiser at work one day and saw the coupon and thought I’d have a go at it,’’ Cameron said. He entered 19 coupons in the competition. “On Friday I paid my sister one dollar for every coupon she could find for me. “It was worth it.” The Paris competition was a resounding success for the BHRC. Saturday night’s Bendigo Cup meeting attracted the biggest crowd in modern times, thanks largely to the fact Paris competition entrants had to be on course to collect the prize. “We couldn’t be happier with the crowd we’ve attracted,’’ BHRC general manager David Aldred said. “Even though the weather was a bit cooler the crowd was fantastic. “There’s lots of families, lots of young faces and lots of new faces enjoying harness racing. “The number of people telling us that they were coming to the Cup for the Paris competition has been enormous. “It’s worked for us and it shows if you promote something the right way, the people will come. “I’ve spoken to people tonight who have never been to harness racing before. That alone makes this a resounding success.”