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By Mark Brassel

Manning Valley Race Club will celebrate half a century of the prized Taree Cup on Friday with the 50th running of the race at its Bushland Drive Racecourse.

Now offering a massive $100,000 in prizemoney, the Sky International Taree Gold Cup (2000m) was first run on 10th September 1974 and now comes with eligibility to the $3m Big Dance at Royal Randwick next month for the victor.

Sound And Vision (Madeline Owen; blue & white) lands the 2023 Taree Gold Cup. Image by Trackside Photography

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees by-passed the Port Macquarie Cup two days ago to concentrate on the Taree Cup with his last start winner Prime Impact.

“We wanted to give him an extra week off after he won the [Port Macquarie Cup] Prelude, so we withdrew him to head to Taree,” said Danny Greer, Racing Manager for the stable. “Both Cups are qualifiers for the Big Dance.”

MVRC’s CEO, Damien Toose said: “It’s a double-header on Friday with the [$37,000] Bakewell Haulage Krambach Cup also on program.

“The combination of both the Taree and Krambach Cups on the one day is great for the local community, and we also look forward to welcoming visitors from far and wide on what will be a fantastic day’s racing.

“Another highlight will be the popular Manning River Times Fashions on the Field.”

The eight-race Racing NSW Country Showcase program carries $372,000 in prizemoney and also features the $35,000 Manning Lightning Handicap (1000m).

Festivities kick off the day before with the Taree Gold Cup Calcutta on Thursday night at Club Taree.

Sky Racing’s Luke Marlow will host the night as he interviews trainers and jockeys and will also provide a phantom call of the Taree Cup before the Calcutta commences at 6:30pm.

Meanwhile, Murrumbidgee Turf Club will stage its ‘Players & Ponies Charity Raceday’ at Wagga on Saturday.

“Enthusiastic racegoers won’t miss the action from Royal Randwick with The Everest and The Kosciuszko broadcast on the big screen,” said MTC’s CEO, Jason Ferrario.

“Gates open at 12pm and we’ll have DJ Leighton Marshall performing throughout the day with tickets only $15 and $10 of that going to charity and includes a complimentary drink.

“Hospitality packages are on sale, and they’re all located trackside to take advantage of the mid-spring race meeting. We also have plenty of prizes to be won on the day including an Everest and Kosciusko sweep.

“Charities benefitting on the day are National Breast Cancer Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, The Vilomah Community, Riverina Bluebell, Beyond Blue and Family of League.”

The small town of Bombala in the Snowy Mountains will stage its annual Cup meeting on Saturday, sponsored by Dongwha Australia.

Bombala was put on the map by top country trainer Barbara Joseph who was one of 10 children and kicked off her career there 49 years ago.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Tamworth
Tuesday: Bathurst, Murwillumbah
Friday: Taree
Saturday: Wagga, Narromine, Bombala (non-TAB), Inverell (non-TAB), Wauchope (non-TAB), Deniliquin (non-TAB)
Sunday: Nowra, Lismore