City of Perth Gold Cup expected to attract bumper crowd

Irrigation system has ensured turf is in great shape ahead of Sunday

The biggest event in Perth’s racing calendar is expected to attract a bumper crowd on Sunday.

The City of Perth Gold Cup is regarded as the venue’s most prestigious race meeting of the season with the country’s top jockeys and trainers taking part, for a prize pot of £80,000.

The recently held Ladies Day attracted nearly 6,000 and the Gold Cup has previously seen crowds of 10,000 people attend.

Perth Racecourse chief executive Hazel Peplinski said: “The Gold Cup is our biggest meeting in the racing calendar and one we look forward to all year.

“We have just bid farewell to the Harley Davidson bikers who held their annual rally here this weekend and we are now turning the site around for this very popular meeting on Sunday.”

She continued: “The Gold Cup has attracted a quality entry of 18 top class chasers from all over the UK and Ireland so we are in for a treat with the likes of Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jonjo O’Neill, David Pipe, Gordon Elliot and Paul Nicholls all represented.”

Ahead of the season, Perth Racecourse invested £250,000 in a new irrigation system, helping to provide consistent, safe ground conditions for jump racing.

Ms Peplinski added: “The irrigation system has been an important investment for the racecourse.

“The track team have welcomed the recent showery conditions ahead of the big day and assure me that the turf is in excellent shape ahead of Sunday’s meeting.”

Organisers recommend those attending to allow plenty of time to gain entry due to heightened security measures and the expected large crowd.

Tickets for The Gold Cup are priced £20 for the centre course and £25 for the grandstand. The gates open at 11.30am and the first race is scheduled for 2.15pm. The last race is set for 5.15pm. To purchase tickets and for more information visit www.perth-races. co.uk.

The Gold Cup is our biggest meeting in the racing calendar. HAZEL PEPLINSKI

Picture: Steve MacDougall. The Gold Cup has previously seen crowds of 10,000 at Perth Racecourse.