Suizuro, ridden by Zac Spain, took out the 2024 edition of the bet365 Benalla Gold Cup. Photo: Ross Holburt/Racing Photos.
Photo by
Ross Holburt
The biggest day on the Benalla Racing Club calendar is almost upon us, with the bet365 Benalla Gold Cup set to rock the Rose City this Friday, September 26.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The day also doubles as the start of the Country Racing Victoria country cups season, the first of 26 cups being run around regional Victoria this spring, and the picture perfect Benalla Racecourse is set to welcome thousands for a grand final day eve public holiday party trackside.
Speaking last week, Benalla Racing Club general manager Cameron Symes said preparations for the day were running smoothly, and predicted a bumper crowd based on early sales of tickets, which were being snapped up at a rapid pace.
“Things are going really, really well,” he said.
“All of our marquees are under construction, so they’ll be finished by the end of this week which is great, we’re ahead of schedule there.
“Ticket sales are going really well, (especially) our umbrellas, we’ve got a 25 per cent increase in umbrella sales, which is fantastic, and our VIP marquee was sold out in August, which hasn’t been done in my time and this is my ninth cup, so that’s a great achievement for the club.
“Our deck, we’ve still got about, as we speak here now, there’s 33 tickets left for the deck, so we’re confident that should sell out before the cup, which would be great.”
If the 2024 event was anything to go by, this year promises to be an absolute corker.
A mammoth crowd packed in to watch jockey Zac Spain steer the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Suizuro to victory in the $125,000 main race, with the on-track action a huge highlight.
But moreover, the off-track attractions were well received by punters, with Country Racing Victoria even taking notice, naming the Benalla Gold Cup as a finalist in the ‘Event of The Year’ category at the organisation’s annual awards night.
While the club didn’t win, and certainly isn’t motivated by awards, the nomination was a huge thrill, and further confirmation the club is on the right path, Symes said.
“We don’t do it just to win an award, but it’s great recognition for our club,” he said.
“I think that’s the third time in the last four years we’ve been nominated for event of the year, so we might get there one day.
“Wodonga (2024 CRV Event of The Year winner), they’ve got a population of 100,000 people they can draw from, Benalla is only 15,000 to 20,000, so to be competing against them, we’re going really well.
“It’s a big credit to the community that gets out and supports it, and something we’re really proud of.”
So what is it that makes the Benalla Gold Cup such an enjoyable day out?
According to Symes, it’s about more than racing, with the club emphasising the social aspect, something that has resonated with attendees.
Fans packed Benalla Racecourse in 2024 for the Benalla Gold Cup, and the 2025 edition promises to be even bigger and better. Photo: Simon Ruppert.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
With the majority of sporting codes having wrapped up the winter season and with a break ahead of the summer leagues getting under way, the cup provides the perfect opportunity for people to get together, and Benalla Racing Club has implemented a number of off-track activities that will appeal to all racegoers.
“What we do is we try and make it a social day for everyone to come, even if you’re not into racing, it’s more about a social day where you can come and connect,” he said.
“A lot of the winter sports have finished, whether that be football, netball, hockey, and so forth, so we try and piggyback off the back of those sports finishing up, and try to put on a great event that attracts all people.
“We complement the racing with live entertainment throughout the day, which has been really popular. We have roving performers, we have stiltwalkers, we have jumping castles for the kids, so we try and cater for everyone and just make it a good day out and then have a little bit of a party at the end.
“It’s worked really well, but also the racegoers and our community have really got behind the event and supported it, and our sponsors are outstanding, so it’s all going really well.”
The ever-popular Fashions on the Field is also sure to attract plenty of onlookers, while in terms of the actual racing, the marquee event, the bet365 Benalla Gold Cup, is set to be the final race in a huge nine-race program.
For those ready to get the party started early, and potentially steal a few tips from some experts, The Royal Hotel is hosting a panel including SEN Track’s Gareth Hall, as well as other special guests, for Benalla Cup Eve from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, September 25.
Gates for the bet365 Benalla Gold Cup open at 11am, with entry free for children aged 17 and under.
6°C