HORSES are almost ready to jump in this year\u2019s Sportsbet Ballarat Cup, but the meeting is more than just about the equal largest prize money in Australian country racing.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a really wonderful day out and where the Brat community comes together,\u201d said Tara Miller, Ballarat Turf Club Sales and Marketing Manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s plenty do to on and off the track and we pride ourselves on a metro quality race meet with a country feel.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Ballarat Cup ambassador is Kate Watts. She\u2019s a presenter on racing.com\u2019s Country Catch Up and was a Ballarat based WIN news reporter.<\/p>\n
She said the Ballarat Cup was right in her wheel house.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a perfect fit,\u201d she said. \u201cI love Ballarat, I love fashion and I love racing.<\/p>\n
\u201cBallarat Cup is one definitely one of the best races on the whole calendar in Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also has some tips for surviving the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s probably not what everyone would agree with but wear comfy shoes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBring a jacket if it looks cold and put a bet on early,\u201d she added. \u201cTip on Darren Weir, he\u2019s always pretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Always hotly contested, the Fashions on the Field will go across four categories.<\/p>\n
Traditional Lady, Contemporary Lady, Gent of the Day and Most Fabulous Millinery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always have a high standard of participant for Fashions on the Field,\u201d Ms Miller said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the ladies come out of the Spring Racing Carnival, and it\u2019s the same for the gents.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The main event, Sportsbet Ballarat Cup, is 2200m open handicap with $350,000 in prize money and the race day\u2019s total prize pool is over $1 million.<\/p>\n
It jumps at 4.40pm and is the eighth race on this year\u2019s card.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
For the last few years the Ballarat Cup event has been a \u2018Standalone Saturday\u2019 meeting, meaning it\u2019s the\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
There\u2019re also some other interesting races on the day.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the only clockwise race in the state and the finish line is moved to the 300m mark of the straight.<\/p>\n
Only horses sold by Magic Millions on the Gold Coast and entered their race bonus scheme are eligible to take part.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
HORSES are almost ready to jump in this year\u2019s 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, […]<\/p>\n