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By Mark Brassel

Coffs Harbour Racecourse will be awash with pink on Sunday when it hosts the 18th annual Pink Silks Raceday.

“The theme is PINK and most of the crowd dresses in anything pink – it’s a day focused on friends and families showing support and creating memories,” said Tim Saladine, Coffs Harbour Race Club’s manager.

“We usually get a healthy crowd of around 2500 with seven action-paced races, a Fashions on the Field and kids’ entertainment.

Racegoers on course at Coffs Harbour's Pink Silks Raceday. Image by Coffs Coast Advocate

“We also have jumping castles, various hospitality options, raffles, merchandise sales and a live auction at the end of the day – it’s always a fantastic afternoon.”

The Coffs Harbour Pink Silks Trust is a local registered charity committed to raising awareness and funds for local women who are challenged by cancer or illness.

The event is supported by over 50 local or national businesses and/or individuals.

“Eight days later [Monday 22 January] is Merv Mercer Raceday and here we will be paying tribute to the late, great mate and man Merv, with all races dedicated to his memory.

“There will best dressed gentleman and best dressed lady prizes and this will be a fitting day for one of Coffs Harbour Race Club’s finest gentlemen.”

Meanwhile, Dubbo Turf Club has announced a partnership with leading equine feed producers Barastoc.

The Club will present the ‘Barastoc Summer Sprint Series’ across the Club’s three meetings during January and February.

The Series will comprise three heats across these meetings:

Monday 15th January – Benchmark 58 Handicap, 1000m
Monday 5th February – Benchmark 58 Handicap, 1000m
Sunday 18th February – Benchmark 58 Handicap, 1100m

The winners of each heat will take home 16 bags of Barastoc feed, while the overall winner of the series will pocket one tonne of Barastoc feed for their stable.

“We are thrilled to partner with Barastoc to host this series and add another element to our three key summer meetings in 2024,” said DTC’s General Manager, Sam Fitzgerald.

“The Benchmark 58 races over 1000m and 1100m are always hotly contested at Dubbo, so we are delighted to be able to provide a bonus to the lucky winners of each heat and the overall series winner.

“Adam Campbell and the team at Barastoc have provided a huge bounty of product to be awarded across the series and we are extremely thankful for their generosity and support.”

Points will be accrued based on the final finishing position of each horse across the three heats.

Tomorrow afternoon, Moruya will provide another chance for horses to become eligible for the $3 million Big Dance at Royal Randwick later in the year with the running of the $75,000 Pretty View Retreat Moruya Cup (1425m).

The Barbara Joseph and Paul & Matt Jones-trained Zouatica is the $3 TAB favourite ahead of last start Randwick winner Mosgold ($4), Kokoro ($7), Lemaire ($9) and Satness ($9.50).

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Moruya, Tamworth
Tuesday: Taree, Orange
Saturday: Glen Innes, Tumut (non-TAB)
Sunday: Nowra, Coffs Harbour