By Mark Brassel
As the saying goes “Seafood won’t solve the world’s problems – but it’s a great start!”
Anyone with a love of seafood and horse racing should get along to Tuncurry-Forster’s big Oyster Cup race meeting on Saturday.
There'll be some outstanding racing action at Tuncurry Racecourse on Saturday
Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club hosts just the one race meeting this month and it is a foodie’s paradise that works in tandem with some excellent racing action.
Garry McQuillan, TFJC’s effervescent president, said: “This is our seafood raceday and is very popular.
“We sell more than 400 of the now famous local prawn rolls, Barclay oysters and BBQ fish.
“And being summer the atmosphere is fantastic; we always get a lot of people that are holidaying on the mid north coast.
“This event is well-loved by regulars, but we’d also like to welcome any newcomers to join in all the fun.
“What an excellent way to spend a Saturday with eight bookmakers and six TAB windows available and there are free buses to and from the course.
“All the raceday information is on our website – tuncurryforsterjockeyclub.com.au
“Also stay tuned as we will have our first ever [$150,000] Mid North Coast Newhaven Park Country Championships qualifier on Sunday February 12.”
The Tuncurry eight-race card is a Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting offering $370,000 in prizemoney.
Meanwhile, Ballina Jockey Club is excited to have a new cup sponsor on board – Cherry Street Sports Group – for their cup day this Friday.
BJC & Function Centre’s general manager, Matthew Bertram said: “Our club is thrilled to be partnering with Cherry Street Sports Group as our sponsor for the $65,000 cup.
“They have two local venues with Cherry Street Sports and Club Lennox Sports that are both excellent venues for families, hospitality, live entertainment and much more.”
The cup program is a Country Showcase meeting that carries prizemoney of $290,000.
“The Ballina Cup is also a Big Dance qualifier with first and second eligible for the [$2 million] Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November.
“We’ll have live music, a Fashions on the Field, a VIP Marquee with all day dining and beverage experience with waitstaff and its own TAB and bookmaker facilities – this serves as a great network and hosting opportunity.
“We also have large screen TVs and tickets can purchased online via ballinajockeyclub.com.au or nswtickets.com.au.”
Next Sunday’s Cowra Cup meeting has been moved to Orange Racetrack following recent flood events in the Cowra region, with the course still recovering from the damage.
UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Taree, Dubbo
Tuesday: Albury
Thursday: Gunnedah, Moruya
Friday: Ballina
Saturday: Tuncurry-Forster, Tumut (non-TAB)
Sunday: Orange, Lismore