TAREE’S big weekend of bets and bargains gets underway today with the second day of Taree-Wingham Race Club’s cup carnival at the Bushland Drive track.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This continues tomorrow when the race club supported Crazy Day is conducted on a Saturday for the first time. Sunday is cup day – the highlight being the running of the $80,000 Stacks Law Firm Taree Gold Cup over 2000 metres.
Taree-Wingham Race Club chairman Greg Coleman predicts the biggest cup day crowd in five years will be trackside on Sunday. He believes the joint Crazy Day promotion with the Times will help swell the numbers, with retailers able to offer shoppers tickets to Sunday’s meeting (conditions apply).
“We’ll be offering a day of entertainment for the family,’’ Mr Coleman said.
“This is a major day on the area’s sporting and social calendar and we hope the community support us.’’
He added crowds in recent years have been on par with country cup meetings. However, the weather forecast for Sunday is favourable and this should draw more patrons to the track.
“All our corporate areas have been booked out and that’s a good sign,’’ Mr Coleman added.
“That’s a first for us.”
He said the fields for today’s main race, the Hopkins-Livermore Cup of 1400 metres is strong. Racing in today’s eight event card will be underway from 12.30.
He’s also pleased with the standard of the Stacks Law Firm Taree Gold Cup on Sunday over 2000 metres along with the Taree Kia Lightning Showcase over 1000m, the other main event.
At this stage a field of 15 has accepted for the $80,000 cup. This will include last year’s winner, top weight Olympic Academy trained by Kris Lees and to be steered by apprentice Rachel King.
“This will be a competitive race and a good betting race,’’ Mr Coleman promised.
“There are about five or six real chances.’’
There are also some tickets still available for tomorrow night’s Calcutta dinner to be held at the Winning Post Function Centre, where racing journalist, author and raconteur Max Presnell will be among the special guests.
Meanwhile, Times racing correspondent Doug Ryan favours Admiral Jello to win from King Viv and Glitra.