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By Mark Brassel

Another crackerjack field will face the starter for Thursday’s $150,000 Moonee Beach Hotel Coffs Harbour Gold Cup.

With the winner and runner-up eligible for the inaugural $2 million The Big Dance at Royal Randwick on 1 November, entries have been flying in from right around the state.

“The Gold Cup is now in its 57th year and has grown to be an iconic part of the Mid North Coast events calendar,” said Coffs Harbour Racing Club’s CEO, Tim Saladine.

A large crowd is always on hand during Moonee Beach Hotel Coffs Harbour Gold Cup Day

There’s a stack of nominations for the Coffs Harbour Cup – from local trainers, as well as Scone, Kempsey, Tamworth, Ballina, Gold Coast, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle and even from Kembla Grange, a seven-hour float trip.

Naturally many of the major Sydney stables have also entered horses for the race.

“It should be a very competitive event,” said Saladine. “Gold Cup Day is also a Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting that offers $430,000 in prizemoney.

“It’s an eight-race TAB program with a large on-track screen, centrally located bars and delicious food options provided by overly talented ‘Spare Chef’.

“General admission guests will be given access to the Merv Mercer Lounge and trackside. We also have the popular Cloud 9 party truck on the lawn.”

Meanwhile, racing returns to Louth next Saturday, a meeting that has not gone ahead since 2019 due to COVID.

Louth is situated on the banks of the Darling River, 132km north west of Cobar and 100km south west from Bourke.

“Our raceday captures the magic of the outback at one of the friendliest and most unique meetings in country NSW,” said Louth Turf Club’s Tegan Barton.

“There are many lead-up events in the village during the week including the Gundabooka Golf Challenge on Wednesday, Damper and Scone Bake Off on Thursday and the School Fete on Friday.

“The Calcutta is on Friday evening at Shindy’s Inn. Saturday’s races feature a seven-race program with prizemoney of over $90,000 plus trophies and sashes.

“Sky Channel is operating for off-course and interstate punters, as well as local bookies, TAB van, bar, morning and afternoon tea, various lunch and dinner options, fashions and novelty events.

“Louth races is a real destination event. The village is tucked away on the banks of the Darling River with unsealed roads in every direction.

“That’s part of the charm and the adventure is what keeps punters coming back year after year.”

Austin won the Cup in 2021 with jockey Clayton Gallagher and trainer Rodney Robb claiming four of the seven events.

Also next Saturday is The Hotel Cecil Casino Gold Cup Raceday with seven TAB races featuring the $35,000 Cup, the Michael (Mick) Griffin Memorial and the Bob Small Bridle Memorial.

“We have a Fashions on the Field, full TAB facilities, bar and food outlets,” said Casino Racing Club’s Renee Opryszko.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Port Macquarie, Gundagai
Tuesday: Moruya, Tamworth
Thursday: Coffs Harbour
Friday: Scone
Saturday: Casino, Louth (non-TAB)
Sunday: Wagga, Dubbo