Held on the eve of the AFL Grand Final, the Benalla Gold Cup Day is one of the highlights of the country racing calendar, and its back in a big way at Benalla Racing Club this Friday, September 23.
Crowds will return to Benalla’s action track in full after two years of limited numbers.
A racing card bursting at the seams with quality, a Fashions on the Field event and live music and an after party are just some of the things attendees will be treated to this weekend.
Benalla Racing Club general manager Cameron Symes said the club was thrilled to be welcoming back crowds for the cup.
“It’s been a tough few years crowd-wise,” Symes said.
“We haven’t had crowds at the cup since 2019, there’s been a couple of Christmas meetings with limited numbers, but this is our first time that we’re re-opening without restrictions.”
Symes said the club was expecting a bumper crowd to descend on the club this weekend, having missed out on the action for the past three years.
“Bookings have come along really strongly, the deck sold out a month earlier, the umbrellas are now sold out along the home straight and our deluxe marquees sold out last week,” Symes said.
“It’s an encouraging sign that people are looking to get back out and support community events.”
The Gold Cup is always an event with a little bit of everything for those getting along on the day, which is set to be picturesque with the weather shaping up nicely.
For punters, it’s a nine-race card with a lot to like, with the top-of-the-bill $125,000 Gold Cup the pinnacle of the event, won by Starcaster last year.
But there’s a lot of fun to be had off the course, too.
Benalla Travel’s Fashions on the Field event returns, with fashionistas far and wide set to strut their stuff on the catwalk.
Live music and an after party after the last race will ensure racegoers can enjoy themselves long into the night, with DJ Kitty Kat set to hit the decks after a stellar set at the club’s Christmas race meet.
The club itself has undergone a series of makeovers in recent years, and Symes said he was excited for attendees to enjoy themselves
“It’s so exciting for the club to welcome crowds back, we’ve been able to do some improvements since 2019,” he said.
“We’ve built a new toilet block, we’ve elevated the VIP area, so they’re now raised to the entire track and we’ve done a full refurbishment of the members.
“The club’s been very active in the time that COVID has affected us, we’ve been pushing through and we’re looking forward to finally welcoming back a full crowd.”
General admission tickets cost $20, while concession tickets are $15 on the day.
Children aged 17 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
To secure your tickets, head to https://benalla.tickets.countryracing.com.au/