Dubbo Turf Club has enjoyed an “exceptional” year and general manager Vince Gordon expects the final meeting of the year at the track to be one of the best.
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Friday marks the first twilight meeting the club has held since Gordon took over the top job, with the first of six races to jump at 3.30pm.
A massive crowd is expected at the Christmas-themed meeting, one which has attracted 121 nominations.
The numbers were released on Monday, and Gordon said it was a continuation of what has been developed in recent times.
“It’s been exceptional. Our numbers for nominations and starters are some of the highest in country racing,” he said.
“We’re certainly right towards the top in terms of averages in nominations and starters and that’s part of what we’re building.
“We have good racing with good fields and great track. You can see the confidence people have in the numbers we get.”
Despite Friday’s event being a TAB 2 meeting, the numbers were still strong and a large number of travellers are again expected to saddle up hopes alongside their hometown counterparts.
Sixteen nominations were received for what shapes as the standout event of the meeting, an open handicap over 1000m.
Dubbo trainer Kody Nestor has put Kenny Succeed forward to return from a spell, the tough gelding having not raced since mid-September.
The sprint event also attracted the talented pairing of Jetgirl and Art ‘N’ Ollie from the Bathurst stables of Dean Mirfin while Narromine trainer Kylie Kennedy nominated Shadow Force.
Elemenohpee is set to have a first start for Forbes trainer Dennis Bush in the event also, the gelding having recently joined his team from the stables of team Hawkes at Rosehill.
Our numbers for nominations and starters are some of the highest in country racing.
- Vince Gordon
“It’s all a continuation of the excellent nominations for the club,” Gordon added.
Races will run until roughly 7pm on Friday evening before two hours of live entertainment for all those in attendance.
The club will then offer buses back to town at 9pm and Gordon was hopeful the Christmas twilight meeting would become an annual event.
“We asked for a meeting this time of year and in my job it’s about getting things happening at the track and a Christmas party meeting was on that list,” he said.
“Hopefully we can do something like this long term … we’ve already got about 700 people coming and 30-35 business having Christmas parties at the track.”
Final fields for Friday’s meeting will be released on Wednesday.