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By Mark Brassel

Located halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, the Sapphire Coast is a pristine 225km coastline that features more than 100 beaches.

It also boasts a fantastic racecourse in Kalaru that sits between Merimbula and Bega where Sapphire Coast Turf Club will showcase its jewel in the crown next weekend with a massive two-day carnival on Saturday and Sunday.

“The festivities kick off on Friday with the Bega Cup Golf Day & Calcutta at Bega Country Club followed by a Calcutta that night at the Golf Club,” said Jess O'Donnell, SCTC’s sponsorship & marketing manager.

Sapphire Coast will offer some exciting racing next weekend. Image by Bradley Photographers

“Saturday’s raceday is a seven-race TAB program and is a family day with entertainment for the kids, a kiosk and bar, along with a TAB and bookmakers fielding.”

On Saturday night Big Sports Breakfast hosts Dave Stanley and Luke Marlow will host a Bega Cup Calcutta at Club Sapphire with a phantom call by the Club’s racecaller Anthony Manton.

Sunday’s meeting is a Racing NSW Country Showcase program that offers $355,000 in prizemoney featuring the $80,000 Bega Cheese Bega Cup (1600m) – a qualifying race for the $2m Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November.

Stanley and Marlow will also be on-course with a Fashions on the Field one of the day’s highlights.

General tickets are available at the gate with buses operating right around the region, for times go to – sapphireturfclub.com.au

Meanwhile, Murrumbidgee Turf Club has a huge Australia Day race meeting planned for Wagga Racecourse on Thursday.

Jason Ferrario, chief executive of MTC, said: “The Australia Day race meeting at MTC is always a great family day out.

“The afternoon will include live music, free kids’ entertainment and amusements, and a sausage sizzle – an excellent spot to relax for all members of a family.

“Our gates will open at 12:30pm with entry to the races just $10 or $5 concession. Online bookings can be made with a special of ‘two for the price of one’ offer.

“Our two feature races are the Sound Fits Australia Day Cup Benchmark 74 Handicap (2000m) and the Navigate Advisors Wagga Scamper (1000m).

“It must also be mentioned that in 2023 will be ‘150 Years of the Wagga Gold Cup’ and the MTC has big plans for a racing festival through April and May with special events planned.

“Further details will follow this month so keep an eye out!” Go to – mtcwagga.com.au

Tweed River Jockey Club now has the inaugural Barry Charman Medal to run across the four days of TRJC’s Tweed Coast Summer Racing Series with the winner announced at the completion of Day 4 of the Tweed Coast Summer Racing Series next Sunday.

A host of top riders from south east Queensland and northern NSW have been competing for the Medal that is named after the life member and dedicated TRJC staff member for over 30 years.

Barry is a former successful jockey and trainer in the Northern Rivers especially at Murwillumbah Racecourse.

TRJC also announced the inaugural Bernie Quinn OAM Trophy to be awarded to the ‘Horse of the Summer Series’. The Trophy is named after the longest serving racing chairman in Australia.

Bernie Quinn is a life member and until recently was chairman of Tweed River Jockey Club, serving 49 consecutive years and has been pivotal to the success of the club over the past five decades as a chairman and also as an owner and sponsor.

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