Eight are chosen as Faces of the Races

Apr 23 2009 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

TWO lovely Hamilton women have beaten off stiff competition to be crowned Hamilton Park Racecourse's 'Faces of the Races' winners.

Vicki McCluskay and Ashley Richardson are amongst the team of eight Lanarkshire locals who have won a part-time position at the racecourse between May and September this season.

The competition was launched by Hamilton-based marketing firm Platform Promotions, in association with the racecourse, to find new recruits who will sell race cards to thousands of punters.

The former Earnock High School pupils, Vicki, (19) and Ashley, (24) were selected after impressing judges at a scout meeting to find the most deserving candidates at Hamilton Palace on April 2.

Vicki has worked for Platform Promotions for many years.

Her previous experience also includes selling cosmetics to the general public and working to targets at a major insurance firm.

She said: "I'm very excited about the racing season and being part of this great opportunity."

Ashley has worked in insurance for the past eight years and has lots of selling experience to her name.

She said: "I'm delighted to be given this opportunity!

“Let the fun begin!"

Joining Vicki and Ashley will be Chloe Dewsnape, from Newmains and Laura Marden from Lesmahagow.

They will join the other four winners Mark McCall, Samantha Meikle, Melanie Meikle and Laura McSherry all from East Kilbride.

Ashley Moon, Hamilton Park's commercial manager, said: "We were very impressed with the large response from a high number of quality candidates for these positions, but we could only pick eight of them.

“We want to thank everyone who applied and congratulate our new 'Faces of the Races'.“

Lesley Robertson, of Platform Promotions, said: "Each of our eight 'Faces of the Races' winners has the enthusiasm and potential to go all the way.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for them to display their talents at a very high profile venue."

As an added bonus Vicki, Ashley, and the six other winners, will receive a special gift pack thanks to Platform Promotions, Fake Bake, Esporta and Julie Lamont photography.

The gift pack contains Fake Bake goodies, an Esporta guest pass for the duration of the racing season and photography taken by Julie Lamont.

The overall winner of 'Faces of the Races' will be handed an additional £100 cash prize courtesy of Hamilton Palace at the end of the season.

For more info on Hamilton Park's 2009 season, visit www.hamilton-park.co.uk