With the year winding down and folks starting to take their foot of the gas, all and sundry are invited to come to Bassett Park on Saturday, November 18 to indulge in a relaxed day of country racing during the 2017 Royal on 99 Roma Cup.
Roma Turf Club president Ranald Ferrier said last year the event attracted more than 6000 punters, with guests of all ages and walks of life from intrastate and beyond making the trip to soak-up the race day atmosphere.
“It’s a great day to have your staff Christmas party, celebrate the end of the working year or exams for students, in a relaxed, safe environment, their aren’t too many events like this around anymore,” he said.
“It’s a known fact that we’ve had many successful marriages occur as a result of meetings here, and hopefully romance will be in the air again this year.”
He said with the strong interest shown from sponsors and corporate groups for this years eight-race program, numbers through the gate are expected to increase.
Ranald said the Turf Club committee is always trying to increase the prize money pool for the race program to entice the involvement of continually better quality horses from the district and beyond.
“We’ve already got several local trainers on-board and we’re hoping to have the fields for each race filled out with more top horses, to keep punters riveted to their seats.”
As always guests are encouraged to dress in their most stylish outfits and nominate for the Fashions on the Field competition.
“For the winners we’ll be offering a swag of fantastic prizes including, Origin 2018 tickets, Qantaslink flights, hotel packages, cold hard cash, and of course the cracking sashes.
“We’ll also have noted sophisticant and Betoota Advocate editor Clancy Overell in town for the Young Beef Producers Forum, who hopes to come out and cast his discerning eye over the Fashions entrants.”
Due to popular demand a couple of crowd favourite events will be returning this year according to Ranald.
“We’ll be bringing back the Friday Night Calcutta at the Royal on 99 Hotel, which will start at 5.30pm, with tickets available at the door buying you drinks on arrival and grazing platters for the duration of the night.
“During the night you’ll also have the opportunity to have a yarn with legendary Black Caviar trainer, Peter Moody, who’ll also regale those in attendance with some of the incredible yarns included in his recently released autobiography.”
Also returning after a one year absence will be the Track Party which includes all the food and drink you want.
“The Track Party will be situated on the main concourse this year, giving you easy access to the Fashions display next door, the bookies and all the other punters at the park. Without doubt anyone who books a ticket will be on for a ripper.”
You can also gain membership to the Landmark Harcourt Members Marquee which will again be situated on the inner-track concourse.
“It will be the coolest club in the west, literally, we have aircon in the marquee, cocktails, spirits, sangers in bread and a few cucumber sandwiches – something for everyone.”
He said for those who want to “get amongst it” the standard race day entry ticket is also a great option. And for those wishing to make a night of it camping and standard ticket or camping and Track Party tickets are available as well.
Live country rock, funk and top 40 mixes from Route 33 and Funk n Stuff will keep the Bassett Park ground pumping to the wee hours, after which you can head to your swag at the on-site camping facilities, or find some respite from the heat in the local accommodation.
The 2017 Roma Cup is expected to get underway from 11am for the first race at 1pm with the good times to roll on until midnight, with buses available to deliver you to and from town.
- For enquiries please contact Jackie Erickson on 0409 898 623 or email info@romaturfclub.org.au. To book tickets please visit ezregister.com/events/21425/ and to stay up-to-date with all the latest event news like facebook.com/romaturfclub/