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By Mark Brassel

Christmas arrives a day early at Wagga for winning connections of the Specsavers Wagga Wagga Ted Ryder Cup run on Christmas Eve.

Murrumbidgee Turf Club has raised prizemoney for the event to $40,000 but importantly, the winner receives a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Wagga Gold Cup in the May.

“The MTC has increased the prizemoney from $36,000 believing the profile of the race is worthy of such a prizemoney upgrade,” explained MTC’s CEO, Jason Ferrario.

“As an added bonus we’ve decided to include an exemption into the 2025 Wagga Gold Cup to the winner of the Ted Ryder Cup.”

Local trainer Tim Donnelly welcomed the news: “The timing is perfect as trainers can have the horse peaking for the Ted Ryder Cup on December 24.

“The winner can then be given a let-up and brought back into training with the Wagga Gold Cup as the goal and be geared to peak again on the first Friday in May.”

Mr Ferrario added: “The [Specsavers Wagga Wagga] Ted Ryder Cup will be run for the 31st time and is an Open Handicap over 1600m.

“It’s Murrumbidgee Turf Club’s feature summer race which honours the doyen of country racing journalists and racecaller.

“Mr Ryder was the long-time Sports Editor at the Wagga Daily Advertiser newspaper and the chief racecaller at Wagga for more than three decades, calling more than 30 Wagga Gold Cups.”

This Friday Wagga will be hosting their Good Talk & Tradies Twilight Raceday with the first race jumping late at 2:40pm.

“We’ll have DJ Matt Luff from 2pm to 7pm with Good Talk VIP Packages available and reserved tables and chairs on the lawn.”

And in further news, MTC has been allocated an ‘Inglis Xtra Bonus’ of $100,000 for paid up horses that compete in the $50,000 Super Maiden (1200m) programmed for MTC’s 2025 Australia Day meeting.

“It’s a great opportunity for a big pay day to winning connections of $122,000 for eligible Inglis-purchased horses,” said Mr Ferrario.

“MTC is excited to be allocated one of these Inglis Xtra Bonus races and we look forward to attracting a very strong field across the Australia Day long weekend, especially with the carrot that has been dangled, thanks to Inglis.”

This Thursday racing is at Sapphire Coast with the Club’s Bermagui Cup Raceday.

“We will feature a seven-race TAB meeting complete with bookmakers, bars, food vans and kiosk, while gates open at 12:30pm,” said Sapphire Coast Turf Club’s Sponsorship & Marketing Manager, Jen Svenoy.

“There is a complimentary bus service to and from the venue, just check out the bus schedule at sapphirecoastturfclub.com.au

“Bring friends and family for a great day out at Sapphire Coast Turf Club – Bermagui Cup Day is proudly sponsored by Butterfield Property, Bermagui Beach Hotel, Bega District News, Bermagui Motor Works, Bermagui Bait & Tackle, Bermagui Cellars and Eastwoods.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Quirindi
Tuesday: Grafton
Thursday: Sapphire Coast
Friday: Wagga, Moree
Saturday: Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Tumut (non-TAB), Berrigan (non-TAB)
Sunday: Nowra, Muswellbrook