The 2017 St Arnaud Cup is set to be one of the biggest and best in the race’s long history.
More than 2000 people are set to pack the newly refurbished St Arnaud Turf Club for the annual event on Saturday, October 28.
A series of funding has seen improvements to the club’s betting ring, as well as new carpet in the dining room, a fresh coat of paint of the club, a new winning post and the installation of a new plastic rail.
St Arnaud Turf Club manager Penny Penfold said the refurbishments have created a great atmosphere leading into the raceday.
“The improvements are on show for the first time so hopefully the general public notice and see how far the club has come,” she said.
“The place looks fantastic – it is the best it has looked in a long time. It is a tribute to the hard work the committee has put in.”
Marquee and package sales have been significantly higher leading into this year’s race, with pre-sale admission tickets also well up on previous years.
Penfold said she is unsure of exactly why there is more interest but that it is very welcome.
“I think with the positive forecast, the hype around Winx and a few other things there is just an overall higher interest in racing,” she said.
It is the best it has looked in a long time
- Penny Penfold
“We have got a good feeling about race day.”
Courtesy buses will run from the St Arnaud Town Hall car park from 11.30am to 2pm taking punters to the track and will run at the conclusion of the day to take people back to the town.
Gates open at 11am with the first race set to begin at 1.38pm.
The St Arnaud Cup is race six of seven on the day and is expected to run at 4.46pm.
