By Casey OÇonnor
This year’s Stanthorpe cup is expected to garner extra attention follow its selection as a qualifying event for the 2022 Country Cups Challenge.
The Stanthorpe Jockey Club is already gearing up for the annual Cup race meeting held on Caulfield Cup Day, 15 October and Club Secretary Jilanne Brunckhorst said there was already a lot of interest in the event.
“Although race day is still a couple of weeks away, I have been fielding plenty of inquiries about Stanthorpe Cup Day and it shaping up as another bumper day at Armstrong Park,” Brunckhorst said.
“The club is very excited that this year’s Stanthorpe Cup has been selected by Racing Queensland as one of the 16 qualifying events for the 2022 Country Cups challenge.”
The Open 1000 metre race has also been selected as a qualifying event for the Country Stampede.
“To be selected to participate adds another level of interest and excitement to these races and attracts even more interest from owners and trainers,” she said.
The winners of the 16 participating Country Cups will be invited to race in the $200,00 1600m Country Cups Challenge at Doomben on Saturday, 3 December.
The 1100 metre final of the Country Stampede will be held the same day. Both races are part of the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival.
Brunckhorst said one recent innovation this year is the move to online ticketing for admission tickets, reserved seating and lunch bookings.
“The change has been well received by patrons and bookings are flowing in,” she said. “Most people are having no difficulty with the new system, but there have had a few ‘please help’ phone calls.
“Members are reminded that the online booking platform will not accept annual membership bookings and they should contact the Secretary.”
Brunckhorst said the committee and band of volunteers had been had working hard to have the track and facilities in first class condition for the meeting.
Once again Fashions on the Field will be a highlight of the meeting with Lismore band Push again playing this year for those racegoers wishing to party into the evening with Crisps providing free buses to transport racegoers to and from Armstrong Park.
A large ring of bookmakers is expected and will be betting on both local and interstate races including the 2022 Caulfield Cup.
To book log on to sjci.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/78310 and follow the prompts – any difficulties, contact Jil Brunckhorst (0400 361 186).
