December 3, 2015
Segenhoe presents Surf Life Saving Day this Saturday, 5 December at Royal Randwick which will include a number of activities in support and recognition of the iconic Australian brand.
Racegoers will also have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne and her brother Stevie and the esteemed Melbourne Cup trophy throughout the day.
Michelle Payne said she is excited to be in Sydney to meet supporters and experience the Royal Randwick facilities.
“I love Randwick and it will be nice to enjoy the day; my sister Cathy lives nearby and she is going to come along so it will be really nice to have that different view of racing and be up and enjoying the action from another perspective”, said Payne.
“It is going to be fantastic to come out and mingle with the public and in the members and get some photo opportunities. That seems to be what everyone is loving since the Melbourne Cup win so hopefully they will love it on Saturday.”
Australian Turf Club Chief Operating Officer Tony Partridge concurred with the sentiment.
““It is wonderful to have Michelle in Sydney. Michelle has written racing history recently with her Melbourne Cup victory so we are delighted that she will be on-course to meet her many fans that wish to congratulate her,” said Mr Partridge.
Racegoers are encouraged to add a splash of red and yellow to their race day outfit and those who dress in the best interpretation of the Surf Life Saving colours will go in the draw to win a race day package for four people.
Contestants simply upload a picture of themselves at the track to Instagram using #TheRaces to enter.
Patrons will also be able to support the efforts of the Surf Life Savers and purchase a $5 pin at the gates or a $5 sausage sizzle on the Octagonal Lawn with a portion of proceeds donated to the cause.
On the track, the nine-race card will be complimented by Surf Life Saving teams of Nippers and members of the Pipes and Drums band will be performing a march pass down the straight.
Surf Life Saving Australia ambassadors Katie Williams and Kendrick Louis will be transported to the track via the Westpac Helicopter to deliver the trophy for the feature event, the $85,000 Segenhoe Cup.
The race has seen La Speciale trained by David Vandyke open as the $4.00 TAB Fixed Odds favourite in what will be a wide open market. The mare ran home strongly for two placings in her last two starts.
Support has been shown for Joseph Pride-trained Ammirata ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odd) in the race who will be looking for back to back wins when she faces the starter. Ammirata had a solid run from last for a 1.8 Length win over Zelda, trained by Les Bridge, who has also been entered.
The $85,000 Hunter Valley Horse Capital Handicap will be hotly contested with punters struggling to split Rye ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds) for Chris Waller and Kontiki Dane ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds) from the Gai Waterhouse stable.
Rye comfortably secured a 2 Length win at Canterbury in his last run, while Kontiki Dane will be looking for redemption against Olympic Academy ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds) after being relegated to second by protest when the pair last met.
A field of nine have accepted for the $85,000 Inglis Classic Sale Night Session Handicap.
Gamblestown ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds favourite) for Joseph Pride is expected to continue his recent dominant form following two successive wins.
Competition will come from Chris Waller-trained Wine Tales ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds) and Matthew Smith-trained Zin Zan Eddie ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds) who both placed a respectable second last
Gates Open at 11.30am with the first race at 12.40am.
Royal Randwick offers a bus service running from Eddy Avenue directly to the course, with return services later in the day.