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By Mark Brassel

Moree has the double honour of being the first NSW country club to race for the spring and to stage a Father’s Day meeting next Sunday.

“For Moree Race Club it is our major fundraising weekend for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, in conjunction with the running of Grays Auctions Moree Cup Day,” said MRC’s secretary/manager, Michelle Gobbert.

Just in Reach (Ashley Morgan) wins on Moree Cup Day last year. Image by Bradley Photographers

“It all starts with a charity dinner and auction at the racecourse on Cup eve with special guest former international rugby league player Ben Hannant as our Guest speaker.

"Ben was a Queensland State of Origin and Australian representative prop-forward and played for the Cowboys, Broncos, Bulldogs and Roosters, and was a two-time premiership winner with the Broncos and Dally M of the Year in 2009.

“There will be some impressive auction items and a swag of raffle prizes with the dinner now in its ninth year and it raises money for a very worthy service.”

Sunday’s Racing NSW Showcase meeting will offer over $300,000 of prizemoney and trophies and includes the $55,000 Grays Auctions Moree Cup and a $50,000 Super Maiden race.

“We thank our wonderful sponsors Beauty Matters for the popular Fashions on the Field and there is also a Calcutta on the Moree Cup.

“Patrons can enjoy the atmosphere of the trackside viewing from the Joblink Plus Chopper Club Marquee; it’s a great way for the family to celebrate Father’s Day.

“Tickets for both the Saturday night dinner and Sunday raceday can be purchased through the link on the website [moreeraceclub.com.au] or directly through trybooking.com.

“Gates open at midday with a full bar, tote, canteen and courtesy bus to and from the races.”

Scone trainer Brett Cavanough has entered Indifference for the Moree Cup with the gelding having run a cracking race in his first start for four weeks when sixth [beaten just over a length] by Roma Avenue at Rosehill Gardens on August 17.

Indifference, a winner of six races from 22 outings, was still in front 150m out and was only grabbed late after being ridden by apprentice Cobi Vitler.

Meanwhile, Moruya Jockey Club will hold its Pubs Raceday this Friday and following the meeting is a huge Sportsman Night at Club Narooma from 7:30pm.

Special guests are former cricketing great Doug Walters and legendary jockey ‘Miracle’ Mal Johnston, with buses ferrying racegoers to the club after the last race has been run and won.

On Friday’s raceday there is an excellent line-up of food and drink available including the Caffèissimo coffee van, Rotary kiosk, Moruya Ice Cream Cafè, Mr Salubrious tacos and Hot Diggity Dogs Hot Dog Van.

Trainer Keith Dryden has nominated half a dozen horses for the eight-race meeting – Burgundy Girl, Zazel, Vaaroom, Levis Criminalibus, Candi Lass and Acheson.

The latter won three successive races at Canberra, Moruya and Gundagai before well-tried in the betting when down the track in a Rosehill Highway behind Intervarsity.

Scone Race Club will also have a race meeting on Friday with the eight-race TAB program offering $219,000 in prizemoney.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Wagga, Taree
Tuesday: Tamworth
Friday: Moruya, Scone
Saturday: Grafton, Gulargambone (non-TAB)
Sunday: Moree