Ballarat Cup day back on track

THE country race day atmosphere of the annual Sportsbet Ballarat Cup will return to the Ballarat Turf Club this weekend, following a no-crowd event in 2020.

The ten-race program on the afternoon of Saturday, 20 November is worth over $1.8 million in prize money, with $500,000 going to the winners of the Cup.

Ballarat Turf Club CEO Belinda Glass said a good number of local horses are expected to run a high-quality race, and 5000 attendees will be allowed back by the track to see it happen.

“We’re so grateful to be in a position where we’re going to have an amazing atmosphere and the roar of the crowd cheering their horse home again on track after nearly two years,” she said.

“Having people back on track, and back to the races is really good for us as a club, for the owners, and for the people who have supported us during the challenging times that COVID has brought upon us.

“We’ve been pulling together the event with five or six weeks’ notice, but we’re grateful and very fortunate to be the first large-scale event for Ballarat as we emerge from the pandemic.”

The Ballarat Turf Club is encouraging people to head online for the last tickets as soon as possible. Most hospitality packages have closed, but some general admission tickets are available.

Some limited fully catered terrace dining hospitality packages may still be available as well.

But Ms Glass said wherever you’re watching from, it’s hard not to get caught up in the celebrations and competition.

“You can’t beat the excitement of an owners’ group cheering their horse home,” she said.

This year is the first time the two-year-old Magic Millions Race will run in the regular Victoria direction. Races begin at 12.10pm, with the last running at 5.40pm.

Admission to Ballarat Turf Club will be via the 240 Kennedys Road gate, and buses will run from local train stations to ensure safe travel.