Ballarat Cup sets stage for a great day of country racing

HORSES are almost ready to jump in this year’s Sportsbet Ballarat Cup, but the meeting is more than just about the equal largest prize money in Australian country racing.

Along with the 10-race card, the event offers Stockland Wendouree Fashions on the Field, The Yard a general admission area with new facilities and a DJ, and a food truck carnival on the Back Lawn.

“It’s a really wonderful day out and where the Brat community comes together,” said Tara Miller, Ballarat Turf Club Sales and Marketing Manager.

“There’s plenty do to on and off the track and we pride ourselves on a metro quality race meet with a country feel.”

This year’s Ballarat Cup ambassador is Kate Watts. She’s a presenter on racing.com’s Country Catch Up and was a Ballarat based WIN news reporter.

She said the Ballarat Cup was right in her wheel house.

“It’s a perfect fit,” she said. “I love Ballarat, I love fashion and I love racing.

“Ballarat Cup is one definitely one of the best races on the whole calendar in Australia.”

She also has some tips for surviving the day.

“It’s probably not what everyone would agree with but wear comfy shoes,” she said.

“Bring a jacket if it looks cold and put a bet on early,” she added. “Tip on Darren Weir, he’s always pretty good.”

Always hotly contested, the Fashions on the Field will go across four categories.

Traditional Lady, Contemporary Lady, Gent of the Day and Most Fabulous Millinery.

“We always have a high standard of participant for Fashions on the Field,” Ms Miller said.

“A lot of the ladies come out of the Spring Racing Carnival, and it’s the same for the gents.”

While there are many great things to do in the marquees, the catwalk, the grandstand or around the course, the real action will be on the track.

The main event, Sportsbet Ballarat Cup, is 2200m open handicap with $350,000 in prize money and the race day’s total prize pool is over $1 million.

It jumps at 4.40pm and is the eighth race on this year’s card.

It’s traditionally a very strong race and recent winners include Junoob trained by Chris Waller, and The Offer trained by Gai Waterhouse, both of which have won Group 1 races.

For the last few years the Ballarat Cup event has been a ‘Standalone Saturday’ meeting, meaning it’s the  feature race meeting in Victoria for the day, with no others being conducted in Melbourne. The outcome is the leading trainers, jockeys and horses come to Ballarat to compete.

2018 will also be the last time the Ballarat Cup meeting is run on the inner track, with competition moving to the recently funded outside, synthetic circuit.

There’re also some other interesting races on the day.

The Magic Millions Clockwise Classic sees the horses go past the post from right to left, the reverse of the normal order in the Victoria.

It’s the only clockwise race in the state and the finish line is moved to the 300m mark of the straight.

Only horses sold by Magic Millions on the Gold Coast and entered their race bonus scheme are eligible to take part.

Great opportunity for Victorian trainers to test their horses in the Clockwise Direction and qualify for the $2million Magic Millions 2yo Classic in January on the Gold Coast.