The first spring racing carnival for the Wimmera will see a range of new features.

There will be more children's activities on offer this year with the incentive to make the event a family outing with free pony rides and a jumping castle.

Events marketing manager Kate Kirkpatrick said they had put together a new marketing campaign this year where the board had been actively supporting and seeking support for this year’s meet. 

“There will be a free bus service from Horsham this year that has roughly 40 seats,” she said.

“To book, people just have to visit the Country Racing Victoria website. 

“We have also mixed up the marquee this year, with a band playing and betting equipment.”  The band will be The Borderers.

The cup will also feature a big screen to broadcast all the racing action from Underwood Stakes Day at Caulfield.

Ms Kirkpatrick said several new packages were on offer as well this year, with the Winning Post Package among the favourites.

The Winning Post Package allows the biggest of race lovers to have a perfect view of the finish post. 

Other packages for racegoers include mini marquees, umbrellas and track-side enclosures. 

“There will also be new food available this year such as woodfire pizza, which will be made at the course,” Ms Kirkpatrick said. 

She said about 600 people entered through the gates for last year’s cup, but she was hoping for more this year. 

“The weather might prevent as many people from attending as we first thought, but we hope to have more than 600 this year,” she said. 

The day will also feature the traditional fashions on the field competition. 

The marquee race – the Murtoa Cup – has a prize kitty of $30,000 and there will be a large number of horses making their way to the track. 

Some of OTI’s top weights will be running at the meet on Saturday. 

Pemberley will be one to watch in the Murtoa Cup.

The horse previously won at Warracknabeal on September 3. 

It was a strong final stretch for the five-year-old gelding at Warracknabeal and it will start off the race in barrier one. Another hot favourite is Something to Share, making the podium in 10 of its last 11 meets, but came fourth in Warracknabeal.