Record prize pot set to pull a big crowd
Gold Cup will be the course’s richest ever race
Perth Racecourse chief executive Hazel Peplinski is reflecting on a solid start to the season and reckons it is about to get even better.
The course will stage its richest ever race and meeting when action returns on Sunday, June 3.
The Class 2 Gold Cup, backed by new sponsor The Energy Check, has £40,000 on offer within a £106,000 card.
Buoyed by a successful three-day festival and sold-out Ladies Day, Perth has committed an additional £10,000 to the Gold Cup prize pot.
That establishes the £40,000 Energy Check Gold Cup as the single richest race in Perth’s 405-year history.
Peplinski said: “We’ve had a really solid start to the season at Perth, with our enhanced race programme receiving superb support from Horsemen so far.
“That has given us early impetus and confidence for the remainder of the season so we have decided to pass on the exciting fresh investment from our new partners The Energy Check to the Horsemen, who provide the participants for our magnificent sport.
“The Energy Check City of Perth Gold Cup is now not just our most prestigious race of the season, it is now the richest race in Perth’s history.
“We thank all those who have so staunchly supported our season so far and warmly welcome The Energy Check into our growing portfolio of commercial partners.”
Sunshine has been aiding the Perth track ahead of this weekend’s sevenrace card.
“The track at Perth is benefiting from the current spell of warmer weather, expertly cared for by our skilled groundstaff,” Peplinski said.
“The irrigator is standing by and with this settled weather we would be confident of producing a fantastic racing surface.
“Two weeks ago we witnessed some stunning action on the track and it’s all systems go for producing a quality card to savour for our loyal racing fans on Sunday.”
The Energy Check Gold Cup has a history of being contested by top quality chasers.
Menorah, the 2016 runner-up, was the classiest and highest-rated horse to grace Perth Racecourse for two decades and last year’s winner Beeves is being aimed at the Aintree Grand National. A large crowd is expected for Gold Cup day
Amy Taylor, corporate partnership manager at The Energy Check, said: “We could not be happier to be sponsoring the most prestigious event in Perth Racecourse’s calendar.
“We have worked hand-in-hand to make The Energy Check Gold Cup Day a memorable opportunity for racegoers attending a first-class event with the highest prize money ever to be won.
“As the very first racecourse The Energy Check is sponsoring, it has been a real pleasure for us to work with Perth Racecourse on making this partnership special.”
With this settled weather we would be confident of producing a fantastic racing surface