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By Mark Brassel

Last Sunday (2nd July) marked the beginning of one of New South Wales’ most popular and historic racing carnivals, Grafton’s XXXX July Racing Carnival.

The carnival dates to 1910 when taken out by Gosine and in 113 years since, some outstanding horses have won the Grafton Cup and none bigger than Kensei in 1987 when ridden by Larry Olsen.

Grafton's XXXX July Racing Carnival always attracts large crowds from far and wide

Just over three months later the chestnut took out the Melbourne Cup with Olsen aboard.

Olsen has the record in the Grafton Cup with his four other winners being Cross Swords, Wave King, Jardel and Shuzohra.

Arapaho won last year’s Cup and has since gone on to claim the Group 1-Tancred Stakes, Gr 3-Premier’s Cup and the Listed-Canberra Cup.

This year’s XXXX July Racing Carnival commenced last Sunday with the Kensei Club Community Raceday and winners of the two features on the day are now into the Grafton Cup (Cup Prelude-won by Our Bambino) and Ramornie Handicap (John Carlton Cup-Proverbial).

“It seems ridiculous to say but I feel the Grafton Carnival, albeit over 100 years old, really feels to have improved in recent years,” said Michael Beattie, Clarence River Jockey Club’s CEO.

“With the addition to the program of a number of high prizemoney races restricted to country horses and the South Grafton Cup increasing in prizemoney to $80,000 with the attractive Big Dance qualification clause, it has breathed new life into the carnival.”

This Sunday is Grafton Toyota South Grafton Cup with the winner of the $80,000 feature qualifying for the $3m Big Dance run at Royal Randwick on Tuesday 7 November.

Then to Cup week that kicks off with Grafton District Services Club Ramornie Handicap Day on Wednesday 12 July, headed by the $200,000 Ramornie Handicap (1200m) and the $80,000 Tursa Employment & Training Grafton Guineas (1600m).

Again, CRJC will provide live music on the Westlawn with buses to and from the racecourse.

To the big one on Thursday 13 July which is Grafton’s main social event of the year, Cup Day featuring the $200,000 Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup (2350m).

Plenty of entertainment has been organised including the Purple Pearls Fashions on the Field.

Both Ramornie Day and Grafton Cup Day provide a total of more than $1 million in prizemoney.

The Carnival wraps up on Sunday 16 July, Maclean Bowling Club Maclean Cup Day, with live music on the Westlawn provided by Tangle, kids fashions and free kids’ activities.

There’s even a Maclean ferry making the trip up and back along the Clarence River.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Thursday: Taree
Friday: Goulburn, Tamworth
Saturday: Orange, Wean picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Grafton