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By Mark Brassel

The Upper Hunter Valley town of Muswellbrook, known primarily for its horse breeding and coal mining, will be rocking on Friday afternoon with Cup Day declared a half-day public holiday.

Feature event on the day is the $150,000 Two River Wines Muswellbrook Gold Cup (1500m) that is also another qualifying race for the $2m Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November.

“We are grateful that a half-day holiday has been declared for everyone in the Muswellbrook community to enjoy a day out at the races and support the wonderful equine industry,” said Trevor Taylor, Muswellbrook Race Club’s general manager.

“We have organised a large BHP Fashions on Field with over $3000 in prizes on offer and as well as live music and great food. There will also be free shuttle buses operating.”

Other events on the eight-race Country Showcase card include the $75,000 Horsepower Showcase Skellatar Sprint and the $50,000 BHP Mt Arthur Wayne Harris Showcase Handicap, with a total of $450,000 in prizemoney on the day.

Among a strong list of Muswellbrook Cup entries is Duke of Buckingham, a dual Warwick Farm winner trained by David Pfieffer.

The gelding was having his second run back from a freshen up when fourth (beaten less than two lengths) to Luvoir on the Randwick Kensington Track and looks perfectly placed in the Cup.

He joins Chris Waller’s nominations New Mandate, Lord Ardmore, Saigon and Solar Apex. Kris Lees has entered Gem Song and Hosier with the Ciaron Maher/David Eustace stable nominating the grey Ascension.

Ascension was a runaway winner at Randwick before capitulating at Rosehill Gardens with his rider telling Stewards he believed the horse did not appreciate the firm surface.

Sapphire Coast Turf Club also races on Friday with their Mitre 10 Tradies Raceday.

“We have a special tradies pack on offer for $55 that includes entry, four drink tickets, sponsors room entry, a racebook and stubby holder – its great value,” declared Jess O’Donnell, SCTC’s sponsorship and marketing manager.

“The kiosk and bar will be operating along with TAB facilities and bookmakers. Buses are also available just go to our website for times and pick-up locations [sapphirecoastturfclub.com.au].”

The Central Western town of Tomingley will host a calcutta/auction at the Cross Roads Hotel on Friday night ahead of its annual picnic race meeting on Saturday.

The club has bar facilities, a canteen and food vans, children’s entertainment and a Fashions on the Field themed ‘Where beautiful shoes meet dusty hooves.’

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Grafton, Queanbeyan
Thursday: Ballina
Friday: Muswellbrook, Sapphire Coast
Saturday: Taree, Hillston (non-TAB), Warialda (non-TAB), Tomingley picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Wagga, Mudgee