mick.mcdonald@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
COLLAR, trained by Jeremy Sylvester from Cessnock and to be ridden by hall of fame jockey Robert Thompson, is Taree-Wingham Race Club chairman Greg Coleman's tip for Sunday's Stacks The Law Firm Taree Gold Cup.
The 2000m race, timed to start at 4.15, will be the highlight of the two day carnival that begins with today's eight event program at the Bushland Drive complex.
A field of 14 has nominated for the race that includes last year's winner Slivovitz, trained at Newcastle by Kris Lees and again to be ridden by Andrew Gibbons. Slivovitz will be Lees' sole starter in the cup.
"It's held up pretty well,'' Mr Coleman said of the cup field.
"The field's as strong as what I'd expect for a country cup. We should be in for a great day's racing.''
Mr Coleman said the predicted fine weather for Sunday should result in a bumper crowd heading to Bushland Drive.
Rain last year impacted on the numbers attending cup day.
"Obviously if it's wet it keeps people away,'' Mr Coleman said.
"And that also affects our offcourse betting turnover. But the forecast for Sunday is for 25 degrees, so we won't have that problem.''
Mr Coleman said the traditional raceday promotions including the time-honoured Fashions of the Field will again be on the program along with activities for children.
An innovation this year is a river cruise luncheon set down for tomorrow while tomorrow night the cup Calcutta will be held at the Winning Post Function Centre.
Queensland State of Origin assistant coach Michael Hagan will be the special guest speaker at the Calcutta along with Robert Thompson. Mr Coleman said a crowd of more than 100 will attend the evening with a similar number booked in for Sunday's cup luncheon.
Mr Coleman said the club is pleased to welcome Stacks The Law Firm as major sponsors of the cup.
"Stacks are great supporters of both our club and this community,'' he said, adding that the club's association with firm stretches back to when the club started planning to build the Winning Post Function Centre.
Meanwhile today's four page preview of the cup carnival starts on page 15. Times racing correspondent Doug Ryan predicts history will be repeated on Sunday, with Slivovitz winning from Lucky Liaison in a mirror of the 2014 finish.
Meanwhile a slideshow highlighting all the colour, fashion and drama of cup day will feature on our website on Monday morning. Photographer Scott Calvin will break from his holiday in Bali to be trackside for the big day.