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By Mark Brassel

It’s an invasion of the highest order – the Joseph/Jones racing team will be targeting next weekend’s Sapphire Coast Bega Cheese Bega Cup Carnival with a massive team of thoroughbreds.

Headed by matriarch Barbara Joseph along with sons Paul and Matt Jones, the stable will be taking 23 horses to the two-day carnival next Saturday and Sunday.

Over the two days they have 31 entries and will be keen to back up their successful carnival last year, where the stable won three races and had a further three placegetters.

The 'A-team' - Matt Jones, Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones. Image by Racing & Sports

They took out the feature event, the $80,000 Bega Cheese Bega Cup with roughie Mercurial Lad who slid up along the fence to claim the Cup at $31 under Patrick Scorse.

The Joseph/Jones stable will be relying on four strong chances in the 2022 Cup: Nieces and Nephews, Roman, She’s All In and One Aye.

The latter is in particularly good form having been placed at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens at her past two outings. She was runner-up in the Mudgee Cup at her previous start.

Room Number, a last-start Randwick winner, took out the Class 2 during the Carnival last year and returns to run in Sapphire Coast Cup (2200m).

Sapphire Coast Turf Club has an excellent few days planned with a golf tournament on Friday, the races on Saturday, a Cup Calcutta on Saturday night and Cup Day on Sunday.

Jess McDonnell, SCTC’s Sponsorship & Marketing Co-Ordinator, said: “Visitors can then explore the Sapphire Coast on Monday!

“Both days will have The Curbside Carnies attending which is a mobile circus with shows, workshops, face painting, juggling and acrobats throughout the day.

“And special guests for the weekend are Dave Stanley and Luke Marlow from Sky Racing Radio – they will host our Calcutta on Saturday night at Club Sapphire from around 7pm.

“The boys will then be out and about for meet and greets with their show broadcast live from the racetrack on Monday morning.

“Aside from two days of outstanding racing action, our Cup Carnival is a great reason for racegoers to visit the Sapphire Coast region and enjoy some of our coastal attractions.

“Sapphire Coast is revered for its beautiful beaches, surfing, fishing, golf, shopping and dining. And the area is also famous for its oysters and boasts boutique breweries and distilleries.

“And we must thank some of our long list of sponsors including Bega Cheese, Elders Tathra, Grand Matriarch Vodka, Bega Bobcats, Bermagui Cellars and Merimbula Aquarium & Wharf Restaurant.”

Further details are on the Club’s website - sapphirecoastturfclub.com.au

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Armidale, Goulburn
Tuesday: Bathurst
Wednesday: Wagga
Friday: Taree, Scone
Saturday: Sapphire Coast, Tamworth, Tumbarumba (non-TAB)
Sunday: Sapphire Coast, Murwillumbah