It was a tremendous fillip for the $180,000 Albury Gold Cup.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This of course was the revelation this week that top Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse was again making her bid for the golden trophy.
Water house will have former British galloper Bonfire lining up, the eight-year-old just recently having returned to racing in the Wangaratta Cup.
The Waterhouse stable’s involvement in the meet – it will also have a runner in the Albury Guineas – certainly adds prestige to what is regarded as the marquee event of NSW country racing.
But it’s not as if the event has been short of prestige in recent years.
Waterhouse’s thoroughbreds have been there before, as have runners from the fabulous Freeman stable. Indeed, Lee Freedman’s bid for the cup will involve Canberra Cup runner-up Cool Chap
It might be hard to believe the event can even be better, but that is what is promised – all on a predicted sunny 28 degree day.
On show will be the Albury Racing Club’s major track upgrade, a reward for the patience of local trainers.
Even a downgrade in the track thanks to a couple of inches of rain earlier this week won’t negate what has been a stunning transformation by the club for the stars of the whole show – the top-class fields.
And for that, the club should be congratulated for all its hard work.
Albury Gold Cup day has certainly become the stand-out event on the region’s social calendar, as well as attracting a fair swag of Border ex-pats and those from far and wide who simply enjoy first-class racing.
Large crowds will no doubt again flock to the course, the numbers boosted by the city’s half-day holiday.
It is certainly a fun day. Plenty of fashion, both of the serious and let-your-hair-down variety, and plenty of champers and beer flowing.
For most racegoers it will be a social whirlwind, with the considerable added-on bonus of an outstanding day of racing.
But with that comes the usual note of caution. And that is, have a fun time but take care not to over-indulge – though it is always a small minority who cause problems because they’ve had too much to drink.
People should also make sure they ditch the car keys and get to and from the track, with a designated driver, by taxi or by bus.
Above all else, we wish everyone a great day out.