June 8, 2017
Royal Randwick will see the return of Stakes racing this Saturday, 10 June for the inaugural Leading the Way Cultural Race Day.
Leading the Way is a new charity initiative of the Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) which will have a primary focus on education, apprenticeships and employment for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
In recognition of the launch of the fund, there will be a Welcome to Country acknowledgement by Uncle Vic Simms to open the day of racing.
Seven sets of Indigenous silks have been designed by local Aboriginal artists and will be auctioned on Sky Racing throughout the day.
On the track, the silks will also be worn by a number of jockeys including Joshua Parr, who will partner with Kris Lees-trained Felines in the Listed $150,000 AHC June Stakes.
Felines, Grunderzeit and The Monstar have all opened as equal $6.00 TAB Fixed Odds favourites in the 1100m sprint.
This will be Felines’ first run since her fifth place finish in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone four weeks ago. Proven over the distance, the mare will start as the 59.0kg top weight.
Similarly, Godolphin’s Grunderzeit’s last race start was on 13 May, in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone. The Street Cry gelding finished at the tail of the field and has since completed a barrier trial.
Six-year-old The Monstar, trained by Brett Cavanough, will make the trip down from Albury. Four of his ten wins have been on a Soft surface however the gelding is yet to compete on a Heavy track.
Royal Randwick Racecourse Manager Nevesh Ramdhani said the track was partially rated a Heavy 9 following 106.4mm over the past seven days.
“The track has handled the rain very well and there was no evidence of surface water on Thursday morning,’’ Mr Ramdhani said.
“We will continue to keep an eye on the shower activity and update conditions on Thursday afternoon and Friday.’’
Racegoers can buy an exclusive pre-sale offer of five tickets for only $40 at Ticketek.com.au. Adult general admission tickets are available for $15.00 at the gate.
Gates Open at 10.30am with the first race at 11.30am.
Free car parking is available at the racecourse and buses will run between Eddy Avenue at Central Station and Royal Randwick racecourse.
For all ticketing, hospitality, racing and general information visit www.theATC.com.au.