STAWELL Racing Club is thrilled to be hosting the Stawell Gold Cup again in 2015.
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The annual Easter race has always been run at the Stawell track, but was relocated to Donald at short notice last year after vandals poisoned the track just before Easter.
Stawell Racing Club operations manager Penny Penfold said the town was elated to have its race back this year.
‘‘We’re very pleased to be racing at Stawell again this year after the events of last year,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s great for the cup to be back.
‘‘We have organised a big day with lots going on.’’
The late rescheduling of last year’s cup meant prizemoney was reduced from $50,000 to $30,000, but the $50,000 purse will return for the feature race this year.
The cup will be staged on Sunday, with the first of eight races beginning at 12.40pm.
The 2000-metre Stawell Gold Cup will be run at 3.48pm, with several Wimmera chances in the 11-horse field.
Stawell’s Terry and Karina O’Sullivan are in the running with five-year-old gelding Bunchloch, to be ridden by Horsham jockey Holly McKechnie.
Fellow Stawell trainer Dane Smith will pin his hopes on seven-year-old Get Out Of Town, while Horsham hoop Dean Yendall is booked to ride the in-form Tall Ship for Darren Weir.
Weir has also entered Sharmadashing and Count Ecosta in the feature.
Mrs Penfold said the fields were shaping up well.
‘‘It is always good to see a few local hopefuls in the cup,’’ she said.
‘‘The fields as a whole are looking good. The smallest field is eight, but most of them are around 11 or 12.’’
Wimmera trainers Paul Jones, David Noonan and Paul Preusker will also have runners on the day, with Horsham jockey Christing Puls also getting in on the action.
Mrs Penfold said there would be plenty happening off the race track as well.
Live music and entertainment for children will feature as will fashions on the field and the traditional egg and spoon race for children down the straight.
Stawell resident Greta Carey will shave her head for charity straight after fashions on the field. The 18-year-old hopes to raise $20,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.