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By Mark Brassel

Coffs Harbour Race Club commences a busy couple of weeks kicking off with Sawtell RSL Sawtell Cup Day this Sunday.

A capacity field of 14 runners will contest the $30,000 feature (over 1515m) including Kapsali (jockey Jon Grisedale), Full Press (Ashley Morgan) and Gobbled (Peter Graham) from the local Brett Dodson stable.

Thundering down the home straight at Coffs Harbour

The other highlight on Sunday is the $27,000 Trevor Hardy Sprint (1200m) with Murwillumbah trainer Matthew Dunn represented by Subterranean (Matthew McGuren) and Dorset Coast (Jon Grisedale).

Coffs Harbour Racecourse will attract large crowds to both Sawtell Cup and Coffs Harbour Gold Cup Day on Friday August 4.

“We have organised a luncheon for Sawtell Cup Day at $150 per person that includes a gourmet feast, a 4½ hour drink package, premium seating and racebooks,” said Coffs Harbour Race Club’s general manager, Tim Saladine.

“And the Sawtell Cup winner will be exempt from ballot for the Coffs Harbour Cup.”

Then on Friday August 4 sees the 58th running of the $150,000 Moonee Beach Hotel Coffs Harbour Gold Cup (1600m) with the winner also qualifying for the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) run at Royal Randwick in November.

“The Club is expecting a high-quality field for the Coffs Harbour Cup this year with interest from Queensland, Victoria and the big stables in NSW, all chasing that golden ticket into the rich Big Dance.”

Coffs Harbour Cup Day is a Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting that boasts $430,000 in prizemoney.

Aside from the Coffs Harbour Gold Cup support races include the $50,000 Daniel Baker Showcase Sprint (1200m) and the $50,000 Ken Howard Cup (2000m).

“On Cup Day we have various hospitality packages available including the Spare Chef Coffs Cup Luncheon at $250 per head and The Balter Room ($200p/h).

“Another choice is the Toormina Palms Lawn Party ($50 p/h) in the two-storey Cloud-9 Bar with a live DJ and a Fashions on the Field during the afternoon.”

Meanwhile, Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith continues to take horses around the countryside in his quest to crack the century of winners this season with Smith now sitting on 88 NSW wins (he has won a further 10 races interstate).

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Thursday: Quirindi
Friday: Lismore
Saturday: Coonabarabran, Leeton
Sunday: Coffs Harbour, Nowra