Two Black Type feature races and a special celebration of Australian Turf Club Members are part of a massive day of racing this Saturday for Bob Charley AO Stakes Day at Royal Randwick.
The Listed $200,000 Bob Charley AO Stakes named in honour of a legendary racing figure and Listed $200,000 Lord Mayor’s Cup postponed from last Saturday are part of an unprecedented 11-race card in Sydney.
The addition of the Lord Mayors Cup has seen a record 216 entries taken with full fields available here.
Saturday also marks an annual recognition day of ATC Members who have reached 50 years tenure with the Club.
A total of 15 Members who joined the Club in 1973 will be formally recognised, along with the first of 40-year Foundation Female Members all marking a special milestone.
Former Racing NSW Chairman and long-time owner Mr Russell Balding AO will also be formally recognised as a Life Member of the ATC at a special function on Saturday.
Australian Turf Club CEO Matt Galanos said Members were an integral part of Sydney racing and its long history.
“We are delighted each year to thank and celebrate with our longest serving Members of all ages and especially those who have reached such a special moment of 50 years,’’ Mr Galanos said.
The 79th renewal of the Lord Mayor’s Cup won last year by recent Group 1 winner Bois D’Argent has attracted 16 entries.
Chris Waller trained Waterford after an unlucky last start second in the Scone Cup opens a $4.60-$5 TAB favourite for Saturday with Josh Parr aboard.
Sir Lucan trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott is a $6-$5.50 TAB second favourite, to be ridden by Rachel King, with noted wet track performer Williamsburg a well-backed third favourite early – $11-$8 TAB for trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou and jockey Tyler Schiller
In a capacity field for the Listed $200,000 Bob Charley AO Stakes, Semillion from the Hawkes Racing stable is an early $4.60-$5 TAB favourite for jockey Jay Ford, ahead of the early well-backed Iowna Merc (Bjorn Baker and Rachel King) at $8-$6.50 TAB.
Six other horses are $12 or shorter in the early TAB markets.
Saturday continues the ATC’s new Winter Long Lunch – a $155 three-course dining sensation in Royal Randwick’s prestigious Chairman’s Club.
Full details of Saturday’s offer are available here.
The Winter Long Lunch will run until 31 August, available for both ATC Members and non-members.
– Racing NSW
