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THE annual Carnival of Cups on Saturday is the marquee event on the Temora Trotting Club calendar.
As well as the excitement of the racing, the event is held in a carnival atmosphere with live music, fine dining, fashions on the field and a range of entertainment.
Temora Trotting Club secretary Jane Walker said there would be plenty to do.
“This is our one big event,” Jane said. “We host five race meetings for the year, but this is the Cup, the big one.
“We put on extra entertainment and there is extra prizemoney. It is so much more than just racing.”
A staple of thoroughbred racing, the Fashions on the Field reaches new heights at the Carnival of Cups.
“Last year we tried to have a better prizes,” Jane said. “It was very successful, we had a lot of entrants.
“It was so nice to see so many people dressed up, more than just those entered in the fashions on the field.”
There will be eight categories – couple, gent and ladies/girls in six age brackets from under 12 to over 50 – and one overall winner will receive a prize of a seven-night cruise for two.
Entry is free and nominations will be taken on the day.
Preparations have gone well in the lead up to the big weekend.
“We have some very good sponsors on board; they’re regular and that helps us with the cost of entertainment,” Jane said. “I got in early and booked the entertainment, especially the kids’ entertainment, which will keep them occupied while the racing is on. We can’t be one dimensional.”
The swathe of entertainment for all ages includes Balloonatic Bruce, The Old Kentucky Mobile Animal Farm, Play on Wheels - a mobile fun play area that includes a ball pit – jumping castle, face painting and mini trotting races, with music will be provided by The Feral Cats, a local trio that will be belting out Oz rock classics.
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As well as a licensed bar and kiosk facilities, ice cream and coffee vans, the club will host Tastes at the Trots in the Luncheon Pavilion from 6.30pm.
It will feature an eight-course tapas style menu with dishes arriving between races and wines. Cost is $35 (including admission and a race book) or $25 for the food and wine tasting only.
“It’s for someone who wants something nicer to eat and some wine,” Jane said. “It’s a sit-down meal and is something to show the night is not just for racing patrons.”
Book at www.trybooking.com/NZCD or in person at South West Ford Temora.
The Temora Pacers Cup was first held in 1913 and has been hosted annually since 1967.
“It’s a good night of entertainment for families at a very reasonable cost, $10 for each adult and nothing extra for the kids,” Jane said. “You can bring the kids and sit on the lawn, or bring fold-up chairs or a picnic rug.”
Packed program of full fields
FULL fields and fields full of expectation are expected on track for the Temora Carnival of Cups on Saturday, January 14.
The highlight of the Temora Trotting Club race calendar, the carnival will feature a six-race program.
The headline race this weekend will be the $12,000 BFB & John New Earthmoving Temora Pacers Cup.
Other races on the night are the South West Slopes Credit Union $11,000 C0 to C1 Final, Milbrae Quarries $11,000 C1 to C2 Final, Temora Ex Services Memorial Club $10,000 “How the Locals Like It” Pace, Crutcher & Hillier Racing $10,000 3-Year-Old Pace, and two $10,000 Menangle Country Series Heats.
“There will be minimum prizemoney, $10,000, for every race so trainers will be bringing as many horses as they can fit in the float,” Temora Trotting Club secretary Jane Walker said.
“Every unplaced horse will get $100. And there’s lots of different trainers travelling, including Nathan Turnbull from Bathurst. It’s not just local trainers.”
Recent weather conditions have proven ideal preparation for the Temora Showground track and grounds.
“It’s looking in tip-top order,” Jane said. “We got that bit of rain at the right time.
“The grounds have all greened up. There’s nothing like a bit of rain.”