THE build-up to Dubbo Derby Day, a winning day for the city which pumps about $700,000 into the economy, generates more than $500,000 in bets and is one of the biggest days on the social calendar, is on the home stretch.
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The race day on Saturday is expected to bring in about 1500 visitors to Dubbo and will be a big boost for retailers, fashion and clothing stores, accommodation and entertainment venues and bus and transport operators.
The Dubbo Turf Club hopes the crowd this year will overshadow the 4600 who flocked to last year’s Derby Day.
Newly-elected chairman of Dubbo Turf Club, Michael Edwards, attributed the event’s growing success to its broad appeal to people.
“Derby Day is the biggest money-raiser event for the whole year,” Mr Edwards said.
“It’s not just about betting on horses, everyone seems to like dressing up for the day.”
Mr Edwards said there was a total of $50,000 prizemoney riding on the event’s six races.
Punters would be able to bet on the Dubbo races and the Victoria Derby Day at Flemington race course in Melbourne.
Race fans bet about $500,000 on Derby Day races with local bookmakers last year and are expected to wager more this year.
Racegoers can satisfy their hunger and quench their thirst at a total of 12 different marquees, either by invitation or by paying the entry fee.
“The Pastoral and the Milestone are the two main establishments in Dubbo putting up marquees at the track,” Mr Edwards said.
The Dubbo Roos Rugby Club joined with the Commercial Hotel for their club marquee, which included unlimited food and beverages available for invited guests.
The race day party flows into city hotels and clubs.
Aside from the horses, fashion styles are always a highly anticipated spectacle.
Mr Edwards said more than $2000 in prizemoney was set aside for the best-dressed ladies and gentlemen.
Local retailers and clothing stores said they had a recent boost in sales.
A Myer Dubbo Fashions on the Field judge said judges would be keeping their eyes peeled for entrants dressed in the Derby Day traditional black and white.
“It’s tradition to dress in black and white for the Derby, and just because we’re out here in the sticks doesn’t mean we’re not going to have go,” she said.
The average cost of a woman’s race day outfit would top more than $200, she said.
“People don’t just focus on the dress anymore, it’s also the accessories.”
She said headwear alone for a race day outfit would cost more than $100.
Dubbo City Council’s city development project officer Kate Wright said Derby Day would directly contribute in the order of about $700,000 to the local economy.
“That is based on economic modelling using last year’s attendance of 4600 people, and assuming two-thirds of attendees are locals and one-third are nonlocals who stay in Dubbo overnight,” Ms Wright said.
She said the event also provided a positive flow-on effect to other industries in the city, such as transport, retail and hospitality.
“Both locals and visitors who attend Derby Day may require public transport to the event, go out for lunch or dinner before or after the event, and require accommodation,” she said.
“All these avenues of spending contribute to the direct increase in output.”
The gates open at 11am, with the first race kicking off at 1pm.
Take part in the Daily Liberal / Prestige Jewellers Hot 100 at this year's Derby Day for your chance to win a $100 gift voucher.
Thanks to Prestige Jewellers in Macquarie Street the Daily Liberal have two $100 vouchers to give away for the best dressed female and the best dressed male at this year's Derby Day.
And we are leaving the voting up to you.
1. Make sure you seek out one of our photographers at the races on Saturday, November 1, to have your photos taken.
2. Head to our website on Sunday afternoon and start voting. The two people with the most votes at the end of the week will win the prize - so make sure you tell your friends to vote for you as well.
Good Luck!
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