Bundaberg Race Club will hold its biggest race day of the year this Saturday featuring Melbourne Cup racecaller Matt Hill and drawing visitors from far and wide.
Bundaberg Race Club Race Day Co-ordinator Shanyn Limpus said planning for the Lindsay Australia Bundaberg Cup started 12 months ago and she was excited to have two special guest speakers from the elite horse racing industry attend.
“We have David Hayes who is a Hall of Fame trainer coming along as well as Matt Hill,” Shanyn said.
“We were really lucky to secure these guys as guest speakers.”
The Lindsay Australia Bundy Cup Carnival has three fantastic events with the first being the Bundaberg Toyota Golf Day that was held on Thursday and Next Payment Calcutta Luncheon on Friday, both were sold out in record time.
Race Day a boost for Bundaberg economy
Shanyn said with the number of events across the three days already sold out it was good news for the Bundaberg Region and she also said most of the people who had bought a ticket for the exclusive marquee during Saturday’s race were from out of town.
“This event is a real boost for the tourism industry in Bundaberg, with many guests travelling from Melbourne, Sydney, Wagga Wagga, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton, and Townsville — including a group from the Bulls Masters,” Shanyn said.
“I have heard all the accommodation in Bargara is also booked out so it is really great for the region.”
Shanyn said there would be five races on Saturday, culminating with the Lindsay Australia Bundaberg Cup Open Handicap.
“We’ve had 47 acceptances, with a full field of 12 in the first race,” Shanyn said.
“This event has attracted horses from Rockhampton, Gladstone, Wondai, Nanango, Eidsvold, Thangool, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, and Ipswich.
“The Club adds increased prize money to the feature Lightning and Cup races and offers travelling trainers fuel vouchers as incentives to increase our fields.”
Hard work pays off
Shanyn said months of planning and hard work had gone into organising the event and with the club’s small number of staff and volunteer committee members it was a great achievement.
“We try to make each of our seven race days major events for the community to enjoy, and we have tried our best to make the Bundaberg Cup a real feature on the racing calendar for the region,” she said.
“The Melbourne Hotel Fashions on the Field will also be a highlight of the race day, with former Miss Universe Australia winner Kimberley Busteed as MC for the competition.”
Brisbane fashionista Mildred Ellwood is also attending as a guest judge, joining racing fashion and etiquette expert Kathy Corones, and Bundaberg’s stylish Rebecca Hutchins.
Shanyn said entrants were encouraged to wear a touch of red for fashions on the field.
There will be four categories, Lady of the Day, Gentleman of the Day, Best Millinery, and Best-Dressed Couple. Nominations open at noon with judging from 12.30 pm.
Lindsay Australia Bundaberg Cup gates open at 11am and general admission is $10 for adults and $5 for pensioners.
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