By Casey O'Connor
Racing action turns to Armstrong Park in Stanthorpe on Saturday for the running of the 2023 Stanthorpe Cup meeting and when nominations closed on Monday a full field of 14 nominations were received for the main race on the program the 2023 Stanthorpe Mitre 10 Cup.
The club has once again been selected to host a qualifying leg of the 2023 Country Stampede Series. Sixteen race clubs from across country Queensland will hold qualifying heats featuring the best horses in country racing.
The winners of each of these events, including Saturday’s race in Stanthorpe, will earn a berth in the Metropolitan final the Country Stampede worth $115000 at Doomben on 2 December.
Stanthorpe Jockey Club President Neil ‘Chips’ Brunckhorst and member of the race club committee had spent the weekend putting the final touches on another upgrade to the facilities in preparation for what looks to be a well supported race meeting.
Working on Sunday the group were able to finish the covered seating area extension, more than doubling the undercover area which, according to Brunckhorst, will now seat around 300.
“We will still need additional marquees as bookings for reserved seating exceed that number,” he said.
“You can expect a fast track on Saturday, but it will not be too hard on the horses.
“An inch of rain through the week would be ideal but looking at the forecast I don’t see that happening.”
Club Secretary, Jill Brunckhorst said the level of interest in the lead up to the Cup meeting has been excellent.
“We have record numbers of booking for lunches and reserved seating (which is now closed) and we are expecting another bumper crowd,” the secretary said.
“People just love coming to country race meetings and we are expecting a lot of visitors.”
The 2023 Stanthorpe Cup meeting this year will distribute over $65,000 in prizemoney over five races.
Jill Brunckhorst confirmed that 14 Bookmakers would operating in the covered betting ring with many betting on all interstate and local races.
When nominations closed on Monday a full field of 14 nominations were received for the main race on the program the 2023 Stanthorpe Mitre 10 Cup.
Among those nominated for the cup is Scone galloper He’s a Devil who had his last start in Sydney and is sure to attract plenty of interest from punters.
Dreamseeker will be aiming for back-to-back wins in the cup. He was a comfortable winner of the race in 2022 and has a liking for the track.
Warwick galloper Abb Roy has won nine races over the distance and is sure to be in the finish.
One runner in the Vale Steve McEvoy Maiden who will have the race caller doing some homework is first starter Whereacrawdadsing.
Dangereuse is coming off a fourth place in a Maiden at Ballina and will be hard to beat. Dolly’s a Natural is another with a chance the mare has been placed at two of her last three outings.
The country Club/ MJ Cleaners Benchmark 50 looks to be an ideal race for the mark Currie trained Hero’s Trinket.
The Queensland Country Bank Open Handicap has brought together a good field of sprinters. Goondiwindi galloper Elusive Eagle Is the winner of 11 races and has plenty of pace and is liable to be in front as they top the rise in the Stanthorpe straight. Another of the chances is trained Turboart a last start Toowoomba winner.
Jack be Lucky from the Corey and Kylie Geran stable is another among the chances.
The Ensby Electrical Benchmark 45 is the largest field of the day with many chances. Degon galloper Masterplan will be down in class and if he handles the Stanthorpe track should be the one to beat.
Missiles Armed has returned from Birdsville after a successful campaign and will be hard to toss.
Free buses will be available to ferry patrons to and from the course. Buses will leave from the loading zone at the Commercial Hotel Building from 11am and the first return bus leaves the course at 5pm
A Calcutta on the Stanthorpe Cup will be held at the Country Club Hotel on Friday night commencing at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to attend the Pre Cup event.
