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By Mark Brassel

The town of Kempsey on NSW’s mid north coast has been home to the Akubra Hat factory for more than half a century and continues to churn out thousands of their popular products each year.

Akubra has also been a major sponsor of Kempsey Race Club having been partners for around 40 years and they continue that association on Akubra Hats Cup Day this Friday.

“Akubra Hats have been fantastic long-term sponsors and one of the main races on Friday is the [$32,000] Steve Keir Memorial named after the ‘hat king’,” said KRC’s secretary-manager, John Graham.

Hit the Target (Matthew McGuren; blinkers) narrowly holds off Juventus (Aaron Bullock) to claim last year's Akubra Hats Kempsey Cup. Image by Trackside Photography

“Of course, the Akubra Hats Kempsey Cup [1450m] is the feature event on the day with $40,000 in prizemoney.

“There is also the Geoff Steinmetz Memorial and being a Country Showcase meeting we are offering more than $280,000 in prizemoney.

“There’ll be a variety of food trucks serving some nice food as well as our canteen.

“The reserved area is nearly booked out so we’re anticipating a large crowd.”

Mr Graham also thanked the club’s other raceday sponsors Kempsey Macleay RSL, O’Donnell & Hanlon Construction, Crystalite, Pynx Cranes & Rigging and the Sea Breeze Hotel at South West Rocks.

Meanwhile, Tuesday is Big Dance Raceday at Royal Randwick and the second running of the $3 million race for Country Cup winners.

Seven country race meetings will also be staged on Tuesday as well as Kembla Grange’s Cup Day program.

There is just the one TAB meeting at Muswellbrook with non-TAB racedays held at Dubbo, Murwillumbah, Taree, Sapphire Coast, Wentworth and Tamworth.

It’s a big week for Muswellbrook as they race this afternoon with Ladies Day and a Fashions on the Field offering over $3000 in prizes, with Power FM DJ Annie Russell the MC.

“Katie Jayne will be playing in our gardens and the first 50 ladies through the gates receives a free glass of Two Rivers Bubbly,” said Muswellbrook Race Club’s GM, Trevor Taylor.

“Then on Tuesday’s Big Dance Day we’ll have the popular band Kyda Rock playing as well as a free shuttle bus operating and gates opening at 11am.

“There will also be a full cafe, bar, bookmakers and TAB facilities available.”

Feature race is the $30,000 Arrowfield Bowman Sprint over the 900m scamper.

Scone-trained speedster I’m Not Slew is well-named and she will step out as one of the fancies for trainer Scott Singleton.

I’m Not Slew will carry just 52kg after the claim for apprentice Mitch Stapleford and drew perfectly in barrier four.

The mare won successive races at Muswellbrook and Moree before finishing fourth at Muswellbrook and third at Tamworth over 1000m.

A noted front-runner, the drop back in distance to 900m will ensure she takes plenty of catching.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Ballina, Corowa
Tuesday: Muswellbrook, Dubbo (non-TAB), Murwillumbah (non-TAB), Taree (non-TAB), Sapphire Coast (non-TAB), Wentworth (non-TAB), Tamworth (non-TAB)
Wednesday: Grafton
Friday: Kempsey, Albury
Saturday: Goulburn, Broken Hill (non-TAB)
Sunday: Armidale, Warren