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By Mark Brassel

The mid north coastal town of Kempsey can boast being the birthplace of famous novelist and playwright Thomas Keneally, Australian international rugby league player Greg Inglis, and legendary country music singer-songwriter Slim Dusty.

It has also been home to the famous Akubra Hat company for more than half a century and they remain a major sponsor of Kempsey Race Club.

That long-standing association continues this Friday with Akubra Hats Kempsey Cup Day.

Aheadofhistime (Matthew Palmer) arrives in time to win last year's Akubra Hats Kempsey Cup. Image by Trackside Photography

“Akubra Hats have been fantastic long-term sponsors and one of the main races on Friday is the [$35,000] Steve Keir Memorial named after the ‘hat king’,” said KRC’s secretary-manager, John Graham.

“The Akubra Hats Kempsey Cup [1450m] is the feature event on the day with $40,000 in prizemoney.

“There is also the Geoff Steinmetz Memorial and being a Country Showcase meeting we are offering $285,000 in prizemoney.

“There’ll be a variety of food trucks serving some nice food as well as our canteen and the reserved area is nearly booked out so we’re anticipating a large crowd.”

Mr Graham also thanked the club’s other raceday sponsors Kempsey Macleay RSL, O’Donnell & Hanlon Construction, Crystalite, Pynx Cranes & Rigging and the Sea Breeze Hotel at South West Rocks.

Meanwhile, Tuesday is Big Dance Raceday at Royal Randwick and the third running of the $3 million race for Country Cup winners.

Six country race meetings will also be staged on Tuesday as well as Kembla Grange’s big nine-race Cup Day program.

There is just the one TAB meeting at Muswellbrook with non-TAB racedays held at Dubbo, Moruya, Murwillumbah, Wentworth and Tamworth.

It’s a big week for Muswellbrook Race Club as they race this afternoon with Ladies Day and a Fashions on the Field with 10 categories before backing up with a seven-race card on Tuesday.

“There will be a bus to pick up and return patrons to Muswellbrook for just $20 return,” said MRC’s GM, Christine Williams.

“We will have a champagne pop-up bar with live music on both Sunday and Tuesday, with our Tuesday’s feature race the [$30,000] Arrowfield Bowman Sprint over the 900m scamper.”

It’s also a busy time for Dubbo Turf Club having staged Maas Golden Eagle Day yesterday before hosting a five-race community card on Tuesday.

“It’s the Dubbo Plasterboard & Building Supplies Big Dance Day and is one of our favourite days of the year,” said DTC’s GM, Sam Fitzgerald.

“It will be a relaxed afternoon of top local racing, great hospitality and patrons can catch all the thoroughbred action from across Australia on this time-honoured day.

“We have a luncheon in the main marquee on the front terrace and a ticket includes entry, five-hour drinks package, live music, private bookmaker and TAB with a delicious buffet lunch and grazing platters.

“And we’ll also have a Fashions on the Field with four categories.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Ballina, Corowa
Tuesday: Muswellbrook, Dubbo (non-TAB), Moruya (non-TAB), Murwillumbah (non-TAB), Wentworth (non-TAB), Tamworth (non-TAB)
Wednesday: Grafton
Friday: Kempsey, Albury
Saturday: Goulburn, Broken Hill (non-TAB)
Sunday: Armidale, Warren