David Braithwaite
Preparations are well underway for Sale Cup day on Sunday, October 27.
While the focus of punters will be on the $200,000 listed Sale Cup, there will be plenty to see and do off the track.
Melbourne-based music duo Sam + Sam, most recently seen during Brownlow Medal night, will be performing, with plenty of entries expected for the Fashions on the Field competition.
Sale Turf Club chief executive Brad Evans said cup day would have many highlights.
“We’re looking forward to having people come along for the racing, fashions, food, beverage and entertainment, including Sam + Sam – they’ll be performing on the stage facing the grandstand,” he said.
“Probably, the event off the track that’s the feature is fashions, and we’ll also be presenting the 23-24 racing season winners.
“The chairman’s lunch, Ladbrokes Punters Paddock, grandstand dining, Laurels dining, CUB Deck and marquees are the feature set-ups.
“There will be high quality racing. It’s a $200,000 listed Ladbrokes Sale Cup that attracts stables from all around the state and the country, including local representation.”
Evans said a lot of work had been done to improve the facilities at Greenwattle Racecourse.
“The club has spent significant funds on improving both the racing and training centre and the patron facilities for guests and visitors to the club. The most recent being the two patron lifts which provide access to the upstairs sponsors room and the grandstand – the feature there is it’s based on access for all,” Evans said.
“We are planning for a playground to be built to improve our engagement with families for all race days.
“We’re planning to upgrade our horse draw facilities for users and participants as our next bank of projects.”
These works, Evans said, was cementing Greenwattle’s place as the premier racing facility in Gippsland.
“We’re are told by those that visit us and have been to other clubs around the state that we are one of the top few clubs in the state for the venue, the facility and the care they get when they come here,” he said.
But the main business of the Sale Turf Club is the track itself, which Evans described as the club’s “diamond”.
“Endless work continues on the track to present the best surface possible for our feature day,” he said.
“The track and the grounds will be in immaculate condition.”
General admission costs $20 for adults, with dining and marquee packages still available.
Free bus services will be run to and from the track on the day.
The cup weekend kicks off on Friday, October 25, with the Calcutta, where people can bid on a winner in the big race. Tickets are available from the Sale Turf Club.
