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Murrumbidgee Turf Club's Wagga RSL Wagga Gold Cup Carnival, the biggest two-day carnival in country NSW, will see a jam-packed program on and off the track featuring incredible racing, premium trackside hospitality and high-end fashion.

The Carnival commences with Tooheys Town Plate Day on Thursday 1st May followed by Wagga RSL Wagga Gold Cup Day on Friday 2nd May with $1m in prizemoney on offer across both days.

Racing kicks off on Tooheys Town Plate Day which sees an eight-race card with the feature event, the Tooheys Town Plate (1200m) worth $200,000 prizemoney.

In a wide-open race Compelling Truth (trained by Mack Griffith and to be ridden by Bailey Wheeler) is the $5.50 TAB favourite ahead of The Instructor (Jett Stanley) for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott at $6.

Celui (Richard & Will Freedman) is also at $6 but has drawn badly in gate 19 and a rider is yet to be notified.

The Gary Nickson-trained Felix Majestic is next at $7 with Molly Bourke riding.

With 10,000 patrons expected through the gates, the $200,000 Wagga RSL Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) is feature race on Friday with a strong support program.

These include the $80,000 JRC Electrical Services MTC Guineas and the $75,000 Byrne Trailers Queen of the South.

Again the Wagga RSL Wagga Gold Cup is an open affair with Flying Bandit (Kerry Parker/Jay Ford) the $4.80 TAB favourite in advance of Bear On The Loose (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Jett Stanley) at $6.50.

Friday’s raceday will see renowned horse racing presenter and expert Lizzie Jelfs return to the MTC for the third year in a row conducting interviews, providing tips and engaging with the crowd.

Racegoers can also mingle with Ch 7 horse racing presenter Emily Riordan across both days of the Carnival. Emily Riordan is thrilled to be back at the MTC after attending Country Championships Day.

“I am so excited to be back in Wagga for the annual Wagga Gold Cup Carnival and to see all the amazing racing action across both days.

“There is such a great atmosphere at the MTC and it’s such a unique raceday experience, it really showcases country racing at its finest.”

The 2025 Faces of the Carnival, Sophie Grant and Adam Whicker, will be roaming on-course interviewing excited racegoers as well as assisting at the Presentation Stage over both days of the Carnival.

The National Anthem will be sung by Rebecca Taber, who will set the tone for the horses to jump from the barriers for the 2025 Wagga RSL Wagga Gold Cup at 4.20pm.

The Kristopher Graydon Jewellers Fashions on the Field precinct will kick off after race 2 and includes a prize pool of over $20,000 which is made up of donations from the generous Wagga community.

Judging this year’s competition will be luxury fashion and style editor for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Damien Woolnough, Fashions on the Field enthusiast Viera Macikova, multi-award winning Milliner Andrea Cainero and fashion model and influencer Demi Brereton.

Murrumbidgee Turf Club's CEO, Jason Ferrario is looking forward to seeing the large crowds returning to the track for this year’s Carnival.

“The atmosphere of the Gold Cup is unmatched to any other country race meeting in NSW. There is increased prizemoney on offer this year which attracts fantastic interstate trainers, horses and jockeys.

“Seeing our local trainers showcase their horses as well as see ownership groups in celebration is the highlight of the Carnival.

“Hospitality has again sold out in the weeks prior and general admission ticket sales at this time indicate another big crowd will be in attendance. The MTC recommends ticket purchases being made online, as this speeds up the entry process on raceday.”

The Punters Podium will be in full swing across both days located near the main grandstand with Sky Racing form expert Mick Wallace providing racegoers with tips and insights into each race as well as placing bets on behalf of the Punters Club. Shares can be purchased for $10.

There's no shortage of entertainment with Geoff Simpson and Jamie Way, and Vino & Vinyl performing in the Tanqueray Cocktail Lounge; Aaron Oldaker performing crowd favourites in the Tooheys Punters Paddock, and Radio Velvet who'll keep the dance floor pumping after the last.

This year’s charity partner Riding for the Disabled, Wagga will receive proceeds from the limited edition 2025 Wagga Gold Cup pins which racegoers can purchase for $5 from venues across course.

Gates open 11am Thursday & Friday with bars in operation until 6pm. Free buses are available at the end of Wagga Gold Cup Day departing from the Slocum Street exit from 4.30pm and will do circuits downtown where Wagga RSL Club will be hosting the official Cup after-party. Visit mtcwagga.com.au