THERE will be plenty of offer for punters this Sunday when the Ararat Turf Club stages the fifth running of the T.M ‘Murray’ Slattery Willaura Cup.
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Ararat Turf Club function and events co-ordinator, Pepita Atchison, was pleased with how preparations were going.
“It’s all good, it’s a little bit quieter this year. I guess because of Easter and the long weekends we’ve had – it’s come around too quick for people,” Mrs Atchison said.
“Although it’s meant to be 22 degrees and sunny in Ararat, so hopefully that will bring out a few people. The track’s in perfect condition and everything is ready to go.
“We’re just waiting for everyone to come.”
Sunday will mark one year since the opening of the Ararat Turf Club’s race day and function venue. The venue is popular among punters and racegoers alike, and is once again hosting a three-course luncheon with drinks, at $110 per head, on Willaura Cup Day.
For those heading along and wanting to enjoy the outdoors, umbrellas will be available down the front of the viewing area for people to set up on the day. Mrs Atchison said it will be first in, best dressed – therefore anybody wishing to pick up an umbrella, get in quick.
Ararat Turf Club has also been busy establishing a new winning owner’s bar. It will be located down under the grand stand, in the old bookmaker’s/supervisor’s office.
Following Ararat Cup day, the club realised the previous room was too small and with more owners attending the race meetings, it needed to find somewhere else. A working bee was held last Sunday in order to have it ready for Willaura Cup day. There will be a mini bar and sandwiches on offer for winning owners, along with televisions showing replays of Ararat races.
“We’re now catering for the owners that come along to support the Ararat Turf Club and the horses, jockeys and trainers,” Mrs Atchison said. '
Willaura Lions Club is returning to host a sausage sizzle, while kids are also catered for with a free jumping castle and face painting.
Those interested in local history are also invited to come along. There will be books on display which detail the history of the Willaura Cup and how it came to be established in Ararat. The Willaura Racing Club disbanded in 1964, with the cup meeting revived in 2011.
Ararat Turf Club thanks all its sponsors for supporting the day. Racing will get underway at 1:15 pm with the final race to be held at 4:15 pm.
Fields will be released on Thursday. See https://www.racing.com/form/2016-04-24/ararat for more details.