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The Listed $150,000 Bob Charley AO Stakes highlights a nine-race card at Royal Randwick this Saturday as Australian Turf Club recognises a stalwart of Sydney racing along with a special group of fellow Members.

Saturday’s second running of the Bob Charley AO Stakes is run in honour of the former Chairman of the Australian Jockey Club, who was also inaugural Chairman of the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Board and inaugural Chairman of the Australian Racing Board.

Mr Bob Charley AO

Last year’s first running of the Bob Charley AO Stakes was taken out by Classique Legend, who went on to win the 2020 TAB Everest for trainer Les Bridge and jockey Kerrin McEvoy.

Classique Legend arrived back in Les Bridge’s Royal Randwick stables this morning as the flashy grey prepares to defend his title this spring in the world’s richest race on turf.

This Saturday, Australian Turf Club will celebrate with a group of its own “legends’’ – Members of the Club for 50 years or more.

A total of 27 Members – including 17 of those who will attend Royal Randwick this Saturday – mark 50-plus years, including Bob Charley himself, who joined the Club in 1970.

Among the 50-year, Life Members and Foundation Female Members at the event will be the Australian’s Turf Club’s oldest Member, 105-year-old William Walker. Foundation Female Members have been with the Club for more than 40 years.

Australian Turf Club Chairman, Matthew McGrath said Bob Charley was an icon of the Club and one of Australian racing’s most successful and respected figures.

“We are delighted to honour Bob with this race at Royal Randwick on the same day that we celebrate and thank such a special group of Members of our Club," Mr McGrath said.

“Our 50-year plus Members, Life Members and those who were our first female Members are part of the very fabric of Sydney racing and our Club. We thank them for their great loyalty to what is one of the world’s best and most recognised thoroughbred racing Clubs."

Saturday’s Bob Charley AO Stakes has attracted a capacity field and a wide-open betting race. Three horses were joint $5.50 TAB favourites shortly after the final field was declared – Villami (now $6.50) for trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, Wandabaa ($5 equal favourite) trained by Kris Lees and ridden by Louise Day and the Joe Pride-trained Ballistic Lover ($5 eq fav) for jockey Regan Bayliss.

TAB had offered $10 for Ballistic Lover earlier in the morning.

Click here for Bob Charley AO Stakes Day full fields at Royal Randwick

Click here for TAB Markets for Saturday

Saturday’s first race is due to start at 11.20am and the final race at 4.20pm. Gates open at 10.15am for Australian Turf Club Members and at 10.30am for General Admission customers.

All tickets must be pre-purchased online at theraces.com.au or can be bought via mobile phones on the day. For all racing and general information go to theraces.com.au