NATIONALS South West MLC Colin Holt says the Bunbury Turf Club will be welcoming back the racing season in spectacular style this Saturday by hosting the first-ever standalone metropolitan meeting for the official opening of the 2016-17 Bunbury racing season.
The BTC event will feature the $100,000 TabTouch 3 year old Classic and racegoers will be able to enjoy all the action on a massive new 80 square metre screen on the infield.
Nationals candidate for Bunbury, James Hayward, said that Royalties for Regions funding had played a big part in the new look for the club, and encouraged punters to come and enjoy the new facilities, including the completely refurbished winning post bar under the grandstand that features a 10-screen racing wall.
After this weekend, the action will continue at the South West region’s premier venue with the inaugural Regional Championships heat at BTC on November 20.
Four tracks – Bunbury, Geraldton, Mt Barker and Northam – will stage $30,000 Regional Championships heats that will feed horses into the $100,000 final which will take place immediately before the Group One Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.
“The Regional Championships is a fantastic stepping stone for local owners and trainers as they compete against the best of the South West for the chance to take on the rest of the State on the big stage” Mr Holt said.
In addition to the action on the track, the inaugural WA Country Cups ‘Fashions on the Field’ final to be held in conjunction with the Regional Championships on Winterbottom Stakes Day.
Mr Holt said Winterbottom Stakes Day would celebrate “the best of regional WA” and that Perth Racing will grant free entry to all members of regional WA thoroughbred racing clubs.
“Perth Racing is also encouraging South West Producers to promote and sell their food products at a limited number of boutique stalls at the Perth-Winterbottom Stakes Day” Mr Holt said. “If you’re a South West producer and you have been looking for a platform to showcase your product, then this is for you.”
South West producers are encouraged to call Renee Bennet at Perth Racing on (08) 9277 0798 to register their interest in having a marquee stall at the 26 November event.
For media enquiries please contact Office of Colin Holt MLC on (08) 9724 1181