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By Mark Brassel

It’s party time on the Sapphire Coast this coming weekend when they celebrate 150 years of the running of the Bega Cup.

“We will have a few massive days including two outstanding race meetings on Saturday [1 February] and Sunday [2 February],” said Rob Tweedie, CEO of Sapphire Coast Turf Club.

“The weekend kicks off early with a big golf day on Friday hosted by Sapphire Golf Tours before our first ever Racing Expo starts around 4:30pm at Club Sapphire in Merimbula.

It's going to be a superb couple of racedays at Sapphire Coast next weekend. Image by Bradley Photographers

“Join Sky Racing’s Luke Marlow and a heap of well-known trainers such as Nick Olive, Luke Pepper, Todd Smart, Joseph Jones Racing, Rob Potter, Theresa Bateup and Joe Cleary.

“TAB will also have promotions and giveaways with finger food on offer for a great social afternoon before Saturday’s opening raceday.

“On Saturday night there’s a Cup Calcutta at Club Sapphire before Sunday’s Bega Cup Day featuring the Big Dance qualifying [$80,000] Bega Cheese Showcase Cup and $50,000 Bega Valley Motors Sprint.

“There will be $570,000 in prizemoney on offer over the two days and we’ll also have a Bega Cup Fashions on the Field with heaps of prizes.”

An early Bega Cup entrant is the exciting Queanbeyan-trained Vermicella prepared by Joe Cleary for Gerry Harvey who has posted three wins and a placing from her only four outings.

“This year we have 150 limited edition caps for sale and buyers will be entered into a sweepstakes drawn on Saturday night at the Cup Calcutta,” Tweedie said.

“Names go into a barrel and the Bega Cup runners will be drawn with lucky cap buyers matched with each horse and a first prize of $3500 awaits.

“There are still plenty of hospitality options available including seafood to share from Eastwoods Bermagui, grazing platters with a curated arrangement of locally cured meats, South Coast cheeses, house made dips, pickles and antipasto.

“And there is also a variety of high tea sandwiches, a selection of sushi, and seafood platters including chilled Australian prawns and local oysters with mignonette dressing.

“Finally on Sunday night there is a social catchup at Lakeview Hotel, Merimbula – for further information including bus times go to sapphirecoastturfclub.com.au”

Meanwhile, Tumbarumba Turf Club, located on the edge of the Snowy Mountains, will stage their 140th Cup Day on Saturday.

The Club will have their usual Fashions on the Field but this year they’ve teamed with Holbrook Race Club to offer a $4000 bonus to the connections of any horses that can take out the two Cups with the Holbrook Cup on Saturday 15 February.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Grafton
Tuesday: Goulburn, Armidale
Thursday: Scone
Friday: Taree, Bathurst
Saturday: Sapphire Coast, Tamworth, Tumbarumba (non-TAB)
Sunday: Sapphire Coast, Murwillumbah