Spring racing carnival
It’s time to dust off the fascinators and high heels with Tatura and Shepparton Racing Club set to host the first feature country cup of this year’s Spring Racing Carnival.
The Ladbrokes Tatura Cup will be held on Saturday, September 23, after a hiatus last season when it was decided to reschedule the annual cup meeting from its former date in March.
Tatura and Shepparton Racing Club manager Jon Dight said the club looked forward to being a part of the world’s biggest racing carnival.
‘‘Spring in Victoria means horse racing and we’re really excited to have the Tatura Cup be involved in the Spring Racing Carnival,’’ he said.
‘‘The club didn’t run its cup meeting last season because we wanted to focus all our efforts on making our spring debut as successful as possible.
‘‘We think the new spring date for our cup day will bring more people through the gates to enjoy everything our club and region have to offer.’’
Mr Dight said the club paired the new date with a new major sponsor, having secured the support of international betting company Ladbrokes.
Ladbrokes Tatura Cup Day will feature free supervised children’s activities provided by Kelly Sports, as well as a $20 punters’ club with Rob Gaylard for the grownups.
‘‘The action on the track will include the feature $30 000 Ladbrokes Tatura Cup, to be run over 1450 m,’’ Mr Dight said.
‘‘The club’s usual food and beverage offerings will also be enhanced by a gourmet barbecue.’’
Mr Dight said the cup day would appeal to a wide audience.
‘‘Tatura Cup Day is always about more than just racing.
‘‘We want all the Tatura and Shepparton locals, as well as people from near and far, to come along to the Ladbrokes Tatura Cup and enjoy themselves.
‘‘It’s only going to get bigger and better in the years to come.’’ ● The club has two more race days scheduled for the 2017-18 racing season
— a Monday race day on October 18 and Italian Plate Festival Race Day on Sunday, December 10. Bookings can be made at www.country.racing.com/ tatura-shepparton or by phoning 1300 139 402.