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By Mark Brassel

The Upper Hunter town of Scone, known as the ‘Horse Capital of Australia’, will be firmly in the racing spotlight this week as it hosts the final stand-alone meeting of the season.

Scone Race Club’s two-day Darley Scone Cup Carnival on Friday and Saturday boasts some fantastic racing and high-quality hospitality.

And the Carnival brings a massive boost to the local economy and to the region’s enormous Thoroughbred racing industry.

There'll be some excellent racing during the Darley Scone Cup Carnival this Friday & Saturday. Image by Bradley Photographers

“Our Friday meeting features the Darley Scone Cup which is a Big Dance-eligible race, the Inglis 2YO Challenge and the Vinery Country Cup,” said Jason Hill, SRC’s CEO.

“Then on Saturday we’ll have a stand-alone meeting highlighted by the Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic, the Coolmore Denise’s Joy Stakes, the Emirates Park Ortensia Stakes, Yarraman Park Woodlands Stakes and the Scone Equine Hospital Luskin Star Stakes.

“It’s the only Metropolitan-status meeting in Country New South Wales where they race for a minimum of $120,000 per race.

“In all, we have nearly $2.5 million in prizemoney for the two days and it’s a real privilege for us to host these two race cards.

“We’ll have kids’ entertainment including face painting as we’re trying to open the Saturday up to a new market with families.

“There’ll be plenty of food vendors on-site and enough tables and chairs for thousands of guests, but if patrons wish to set up their own picnics with simple tables and chairs that’s fine. A lot of work has gone into the Carnival, and we’ve had great support from suppliers and partners.

“We’ll have special guest musical acts including Jimbo Stokes performing for the public on Saturday.”

Next Sunday the racing is at Parkes and Sapphire Coast, and this year marks a decade for Parkes Services Club as major sponsor of the Parkes Cup.

“They’ve been tremendous sponsors and we’ve been lucky to continually receive their support,” said Alex Prout, Parkes Jockey Club’s President.

“On the day we will have community market stalls, free inflatable kids’ activities and face painting, Party Planet’s inflatables and soft play, and six-hole mini golf, as well as live music by popular duo Robbi & Ben.

“And there’s on-course catering and food vans, a bar and bookies, with private marquees also available.”

All online tickets purchased before Thursday have the option of a free courtesy bus, picking up from the buyer’s residential address.

Feature events are the $40,000 Parkes Services Club Parkes Cup (1600m) and the $50,000 Super Maiden Showcase Plate (1400m).

Sapphire Coast Turf Club will stage its Monaro Raceday on Sunday with free bus services running to and from the track where gates open at 11:45am.

Feature is the $27,000 Monaro Cup (1600m) with the day sponsored by Mark Williams & Robin Gauld, Nimmitabel Country Club, Jack Atkinson Surveying, Cooma Race Club, Diggers Bobcat Hire, Cooma Cricket Club and The Delegate Crew.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Murwillumbah, Quirindi
Tuesday: Taree, Wellington
Friday: Scone, Albury
Saturday: Scone, Tuncurry, Brewarrina (non-TAB)
Sunday: Parkes, Sapphire Coast