September 22, 2016
Rosehill Gardens will celebrate women in the industry at Ronald McDonald House Westmead Golden Pendant Day this Saturday, 24 September.
For the second year, the Women in Racing Lunch supporting Ronald McDonald House Westmead will be held in the Grand Pavilion.
Seven Network’s Mel McLaughlin will host, including a panel discussion with women representing all facets of the thoroughbred fraternity.
Newly elected Australian Turf Club Vice-Chair Trish Egan will open the formalities.
All patrons wishing to enjoy the excitement of spring racing at an affordable price can pre-purchase the Australian Turf Club’s offer of five general admission tickets for $50.
Valid pre-purchased event tickets include return travel to Rosehill Gardens on train services (bounded by Bomaderry, Goulburn, Bathurst and Dungog stations).
The Australian Turf Club in partnership with the Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy will offer strappers a chance to win a $200 prize in each of the five Group races, with the best presented horse earning their handler the award.
Horses and strappers will be judged in the mounting yard by an ATC representative, in partnership with the Reverend Colin Watts from the Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy.
ATC Executive General Manager of Racing James Heddo said: “The ATC and ARCC have partnered in this initiative and we hope to grow it throughout the year with the support of industry partners.
“We are pleased to assist in recognising the hard work of strappers, and the care they have for their horses.”
On the track, the racing feature of the day, the Group 2 $400,000 Ronald McDonald House Westmead Golden Pendant, has a field of ten.
John Thompson-trained First Seal returns from a five month spell and has opened the $3.00 TAB Fixed Odds favourite.
The Group 1 winning Fastnet Rock mare has a good first up record and has been successful over 1400m on two occasions.
Last start winner Heavens Above ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds) for Tim Martin sits on the second line of betting.
Tye Angland will again partner with the five-year-old after a strong run to the post in the Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on 10 September.
Ron Quinton’s Dixie Blossoms ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds) has also been entered having come from the Sheraco Stakes. Punters can dismiss the mare’s twelfth place that run after she was held up for the trip, and use the mare’s three prior second place finishes as a form indicator.
The Group 2 $200,000 Stan Fox Stakes has seen its last two winners in Press Statement and Shooting To Win progress to take out the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.
In 2016, the Stan Fox’s $2.30 TAB Fixed Odds favourite, Divine Prophet for Hawkes Racing, is already the early market leader for the Caulfield Guineas.
This will be the second year the Group 3 $125,000 2016 Queen’s Cup (Colin Stephen Quality) has raced at Rosehill Gardens, and it carries ballot exemption into the Group 1 $750,000 McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan on Saturday week.
Despite race conditions not suiting Allergic in his third-placed run last start, the Godolphin gelding has opened $2.30 TAB Fixed Odds favourite.
The Group 3 $200,000 Schweppes Gloaming Stakes will see the winner gain automatic entry into the Group 1 $500,000 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes at Royal Randwick on 8 October.
The race’s honour roll features the great Kingston Town (1979), Tie The Knot (1997), So You Think (2009) and It’s A Dundeel (2012).
Six winners from the Gloaming Stakes have gone on to win the spring feature.
This year sees Prized Icon for James Cummings and High Mist for Waller Racing as the equal $3.80 TAB Fixed Odds favourites.
Prized Icon finished at the tail of the field in the Chelmsford Stakes at Royal Randwick on 3 September after over-racing throughout and has since completed a barrier trial.
Last start winner High Mist will be tried for the first time over the 1800m but will have the advantage of running on his home track.
Adult general admission tickets are available for $20.00 at ticketek.com.au.
Gates Open at 11.00am with the first race at 12.15pm.
Rosehill Gardens has free high-capacity WiFi across the racecourse precinct.
There is free public parking off James Ruse Drive as well as free parking in the infield from the Unwin Road entrance.
For all ticketing, hospitality, racing and general information visit www.theATC.com.au