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By Mark Brassel

Friday’s Snake Gully Cup Day is a unique race meeting that attracts a capacity crowd to Gundagai each year.

The Cup’s name originated from a popular radio series in the late 1930s that spawned a Channel 7 TV series in 1972.

“We were inspired by the beloved radio and TV series Dad and Dave from Snake Gully, as the event is deeply woven into Gundagai’s identity,” explained Michael Heath, Secretary/Manager of Gundagai Adelong Racing Club.

The picturesque Gundagai Racecourse will hold the NSW racing spotlight later this week (Friday and Saturday)

“The theme song was ‘The Road to Gundagai’ and that connects generations of Australians to our town with this year’s Snake Gully Cup being the 40th renewal.

“For well over 100 years, Gundagai Adelong Racing Club has been at the heart of racing in southern NSW with our Snake Gully Cup Carnival the largest and most iconic community event in the Gundagai region.

“It spans two days of racing and entertainment and draws in more than 5,000 attendees.”

This year’s Snake Gully Cup (1400m) carries not only $100,000 prizemoney but also eligibility for the $3 million Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November 2026.

Winner of the Snake Gully also becomes free from ballot for the $200,000 Community Chest at Canberra on Sunday 23 November.

The major support races are the $50,000 The Tuckerbox (1000m) and the $50,000 Super Maiden (1180m) with a total of $395,000 in prizemoney on offer.

The strength of last year’s meeting was franked by Sun ‘N’ Sand who landed the Showcase Class 1 Handicap and five months later was pipped on the post in the Group 1-Australian Oaks at Royal Randwick.

The Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones-trained mare was downed in the final hop by outstanding galloper Treasurethe Moment when a $51 chance.

“Saturday’s meeting is Hair of the Dog Raceday that’s taken from the colloquial saying “The hair of the dog that bit you”.

“This day is fast becoming a classic of country racing and a great follow up to Friday’s Snake Gully Cup with TAB betting on both race meetings.

“We’ll also have courtesy buses to and from the racecourse during the two days with Saturday’s $34,000 feature race, the Hair of the Dog over 1800m.”

Trainer Mitchell Beer, who has now teamed up with co-trainer George Carpenter, took four runners last year and was successful in the Snake Gully Cup with Clever Art.

The Kembla Grange-based stable has been in great form having won the final event at Royal Randwick on Big Dance Day with Sunrise.

The duo has entered Apollo Mission and Mafia for this year’s Snake Gully Cup with both having unplaced runs at Randwick last start.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Lismore
Tuesday: Queanbeyan
Thursday: Port Macquarie, Quirindi
Friday: Gundagai, Ballina
Saturday: Gundagai, Bathurst
Sunday: Wellington