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<\/p>\nTHE Lismore Cup will take place next Friday, September 27, with organisers predicting it will be the best event in a decade due to strong ticket sales and excellent track conditions.<\/p>\n
Lismore Turf Club secretary\/manager Scott Jones expressed his excitement, praising the track’s condition.<\/p>\n
“It’s brilliant,” he said. “The track is in great nick. It’s the best grass we’ve ever seen.”<\/p>\n
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Mr Jones said a recent race day had been cancelled due to rain on the day, but the club was confident the track could stand up to the weather.<\/p>\n
Staff had been busy watering and preparing the grass so it holds up over eight races on Cup Day, whatever the weather.<\/p>\n
And a great track means great racing.<\/p>\n
“It means all of the horses have a great chance of winning,” Mr Jones said. Moving the Cup to a Friday from its traditional Thursday has proven popular.<\/p>\n
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In the past, the council had gazetted a public holiday for Cup Day, but councillors had decided against it in the past two years. Mr Jones said the decision had impacted gate numbers.<\/p>\n
In 2022, the event fell on a public holiday to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, but it was cancelled after two races due to heavy rain.<\/p>\n
And last year, numbers were down.<\/p>\n
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But tickets to this year’s event have been selling fast, vindicating the change of day decision.<\/p>\n
Trackside tables have sold out and the VIP marquee and members’ tables are proving just as popular. But there are plenty of general admission tickets left.<\/p>\n
Mr Jones said it was a day for the community to dress up and to have fun. Then there’s the racing.<\/p>\n
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The main race has been shortened this year and will now run over 1500m \u2013 previously 2100m \u2013 with $75,000 prize money.<\/p>\n
Total prize money for Lismore Cup Day is $350,000.<\/p>\n
The main race will also be eligible for qualification for the $3 million Big Dance.<\/p>\n
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The Big Dance is a 1600m event run at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day each year.<\/p>\n
The field for Lismore Cup Day will be finalised next week.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Lismore Cup will take place next Friday, September 27, with organisers predicting it will be the best event in a decade due to strong ticket sales and excellent track conditions. Lismore Turf Club secretary\/manager Scott Jones expressed his excitement, praising the track’s condition. “It’s brilliant,” he said. “The track is in great nick. It’s […]<\/p>\n