Melbourne Cup day is one of the year’s biggest race events at the Illawarra Turf Club, according club CEO Peter De Vries.
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He said if the weather was good they were expecting around 5,500 punters at Kembla Grange to watch eight live races, plus more televised on big screens from Flemington.
Mr De Vries said the introduction of the $10 million The Everest - the richest race we’ve ever - at Royal Randwick in October has helped revive the spring racing spirit in NSW. While local interest in the winning horse Redzel and favourite She Will Reign had flow-on effects in the Illawarra.
“The Everest had a great impact on putting a fresh face onto NSW spring racing … and had the required effect of getting people’s interest geed up a little earlier than it normally would have been and I think that will flow over, there’s still a considerable interest,” he said.
His top tips for cup day include getting to the track early, dress stylish yet comfortably as it’s a long day, everything in moderation and take care getting home (especially if you had a beverage).
CUP DAY QUICK GUIDE FOR KEMBLA
- Gates open 10am with live races after midday
- The Melbourne Cup will be televised live at 3pm
- Main stage entertainment includes Emily Markham, Tim Karkowski, Kay Proudlove
- Fashions on the field registrations open 10am – 11:30am; parades from 11:45am
- Parking and taxi rank on site, Kembla Grange train station across the road
- Free courtesy bus running to nearby train stations throughout the afternoon
- Bets can be placed through TAB and bookies on site, or via smart phones
- Admission tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for pensioners
CUP DAY FASHIONS ON THE FIELD
This Tuesday marks a sad yet special occasion at the Illawarra Turf Club. Milliner Victoria Kennedy has closed her business, Terence Gregory, but will make her final pieces under the label for this year’s winners - adding to $12,000 of dollars in prizes.
Registrations for men and women are taken from 10am. Prizes are awarded for Best Dressed and Best Millinery on the day, as well as the Illawarra Mercury’s People’s Choice award after the event.
For around 14 years Mrs Kennedy’s creations have graced race tracks, weddings and other special events around the Illawarra.
Her previous brand, Victoria Kennedy, was stocked in David Jones. In 2012 she opened a store in Fairy Meadow, Terence Gregory, as a tribute to her late father.