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By Mark Brassel

The King’s Birthday long weekend kicks off early this Friday with Dubbo’s prestigious Kings Hall Jewellers Silver Goblet race meeting.

And being a Racing NSW Showcase meeting, more than $280,000 in prizemoney will be on offer for the eight-race program.

“The Silver Goblet is a $40,000 race ensuring we see some of the region’s most exciting two-year-olds chasing feature race glory,” said Cameron Riches, Dubbo Turf Club’s new general manager.

Jockey Aaron Bullock and trainer Lyle Chandler with last year's Silver Goblet winner, Four Degrees. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

“Adding to the atmosphere it’s also the Hahn 3.5 Tradies Day celebration that is perfectly timed to kick off the long weekend in style.

“Tradies are encouraged to come straight from the job site, with free entry for anyone wearing hi-vis or presenting their white card at the gate; otherwise, entry is just $10.

“There’ll be plenty happening both on and off the track with fun competitions and giveaways throughout the day including Dubbo’s best sock tan, the cleanest tradie award and a sock throwing contest.

“Racegoers can also enjoy live entertainment, great food and beverage options including a BBQ raising funds for Pink Angels, plus exclusive Hahn 3.5 promotions across the venue.

“We will have a free courtesy bus to and from the Castlereagh Hotel throughout the day to bring the team out to the track and back to the Castlereagh for an afterparty.”

Talented galloper Gallant Star took out the Silver Goblet four years back and has since accumulated $1.2m in prizemoney including a win in the $250K Barn Dance at Randwick. Last year’s winner was Four Degrees guided by leading jockey Aaron Bullock and trained by Lyle Chandler at Scone.

Later in the month the Final of the Dubbo RSL Club Winter Country Classic will be held on Sunday 28 June, with the top seven finishers from the respective qualifiers gaining entry to the race.

On Thursday, Murrumbidgee Turf Club will be staging the 11th running of the Lamont Classic, an event that acknowledges part of Wagga’s rich history.

The 1200m race for two-year-olds salutes the Lamont Family and their Kooringal Stud that was established 116 years ago, 22km north of Wagga.

Kooringal Stud is owned and managed by Stuart and Penny Lamont and their children, Angus, James, Richard and Georgie.

The Lamont name has been synonymous with racing in the Riverina for decades and it is fitting to have a feature race in their honour.

Stuart Lamont was on the board of MTC for 34 years, spending 15 years as president, and his late father Colin was MTC’s chairman through the 1970s and 80s.

Stuart’s son Angus followed the family tradition and has been serving on the MTC board for over a decade.

“Thursday’s meeting sees a return to the course proper after the Riverside Track was used on Ladies Day (May 23) to give the course proper a rest after the two-day Gold Cup Carnival,” said MTC’s CEO Jason Ferrario.

“It was also for a minor renovation to help with the recovery on the back of back-to-back racedays.

“The Lamont Classic is a chance for late season two-year-olds to chase some prizemoney, possibly coming out of the Gold Cup Carnival and is named in honour of the Lamont family that has a long history and footprint at the MTC.”

On Friday, Manning Valley Race Club (Taree) will recognise former jockey Corey Brown as well as celebrate the township of Wingham, located just 10 minutes away, by staging the 2026 Wingham Cup (1600m) carrying $32,000 in prizemoney.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Corowa, Warren
Tuesday: Moree
Thursday: Wagga
Friday: Dubbo, Taree
Saturday: Grafton, Tamworth, Parkes (non-TAB), Mallawa picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Sapphire Coast, Gulgong (non-TAB)