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By Mark Brassel

Mums will be honoured at Queanbeyan and Parkes with two big race meetings during next weekend’s Mother’s Day.

“All mothers will receive a complimentary champers and go into the draw for lucky prizes during the day,” said the club’s CEO, Brendan Comyn.

Racing action will be at Queanbeyan this Mother's Day. Image by Joshua Matic

“Mums will also be able to enjoy a two-course meal in our Nash Room at a very reasonable cost, hopefully, paid for by their children!”

The meeting doubles as the annual Defence Force Cup Day at the Club’s final meeting for the 2018/19 racing season.

“This is when the Queanbeyan racing industry offers a sign of gratitude to the personnel of our defence forces and the contractors that supply goods to them,” Mr Comyn said.

“The Defence Force Cup goes back to the seventies and always draws a great crowd consisting of families of Army Navy and Air Force staff enjoying the free entertainment.

“Jumping castles and a roving clown will be available for the kids on the day.

“And entry to the course is free to defence personnel and their families as well as defence support companies.

“The Defence Force Cup will be presented to the winning connections by the Chief of Defence Forces or a representative.”

Parkes Jockey Club also races next Sunday and will be hosting its 125th running of the Parkes Gold Cup.

“With the meeting falling on Mother’s Day, we will be focusing not only on racing, but a family day out to cater for mums and families,” said PJC’s president, Mark Ross.

“We have invited craft market stallholders from across the local region to complement the racing and give families a little bit extra.

“The Parkes Gold Cup meeting is a TAB program with eight races and every year we receive very large nominations.

“There are the usual on-course facilities, a full bar and TAB facilities with Parkes Quota Club providing a wonderful country fare luncheon.

“The Parkes track is considered one of the better tracks in the area and has the second longest straight in the western districts, only pipped at the post by Warren.

“On a sadder note, members of our Club were upset at the sudden passing of local character and Parkes trainer George Wright in March this year,” said Mr Ross.

“We will be holding a ‘Vale George Wright’ race during the meeting to honour the local legend at his home track.

“Parkes Services Club sponsor two races – the Parkes Gold Cup and the Satellite Handicap – and members of Parkes Services Club receive free entry to the course.”

Of course, these two meetings are preceded by the massive two-day Scone Cup Carnival that kicks off this Friday.

The $2 million prize pool makes it Australia’s richest country racing carnival.

The Listed Scone Cup headlines day one which is traditionally most popular with locals as a half-day public holiday is declared in the Upper Hunter.

Day two boasts the $180,000 Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic, the Listed Luskin Star Stakes, Ortensia Stakes, Denise’s Joy Stakes, Woodlands Stakes and $300,000 Inglis 3YO Guineas.

Scone Race Club has buses operating from Scone, Muswellbrook and Aberdeen and tickets can be purchased at the pick-up points.