News

Scone to Stage World's Biggest Country Carnival

15th Feb 2013

Breednet - Brian Russell Media - Friday, 15 February 2013

Scone, an Upper Hunter town of less than 5000 people, but one recognised as where the racing and breeding industries meet, is poised to stage what challenges as the world's richest, biggest and most glamorous country Cup carnival.

Again in mid May (Friday and Saturday May 17 and 18) and the pinnacle of the two weeks long Scone Horse Festival, a celebration of the region's recognition as the Horse Capital of Australia, it is a carnival which in the past three years has captured the interest of the nation through a face lift encompassing a dramatic lift in prize money, black type race endorsement and a stand alone Saturday, a program that takes the place of Sydney racing.

In 2013, the Club will be again offering racing rewards in excess of the value of $1.9million over the two days, but conducting higher quality racing by providing a record (for country and provincial racing) seven stakes events (Listed), as against three held last year.

One of them, the $200,000 Emirates Park Cup (1600m) (up $20,000) will be on the Friday, while the other six are to be on the stand alone Saturday program. They are the $400,000 Inglis 3YO Guineas (1400m), the $200,000 Darley Dark Jewel Classic (Open for fillies and mares,1400m), $140,000 Coolmore Woodlands Stakes (2yo fillies,1100m), $140,000 Arrowfield Denise's Joy Stakes (3yo fillies, 1100m), $140,000 Prydes EasiFeed Ortensia Stakes (Open,1100m) and $140,000 Yarraman Park – Horsepower Luskin Star Stakes (Open,1300m).

The Inglis Guineas is one of two races at the carnival carrying this qualification.The other is the $100,000 Inglis 2YO Challenge and it is to be held on the Friday.

Every one of the Scone races carries trophies, ranging in value from $600 to $4,900.

Last year it was estimated that 10,000 people packed the surrounds of the outstanding Scone racecourse and 4,000 rolled up on Saturday.The further uplift in the Saturday program could see a bigger support for 2013.

The carnival attracts performers up to Group1 level, leading trainers and jockeys from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and a wide spectrum of others involved in breeding and racing. Many of them feast royally in giant marquees, bookings for which for this year are flowing in.

On the Friday three major entertainment centres will be the Emirates Park Marquee and the Function Centre at $385 per ticket and the Yalumba Marquee $190 (Scone Race Club member and guest $160 each).

The Saturday arrangements include the Inglis Marquee ($190 and $160 – member) and XXXX Gold Marquee ($40). Bookings for both days on (02) 6545 1607 or email events@sconeraceclub.com.au