Nyngan Jockey Club will be once again host the Anzac Day Races on Saturday, April 25, and will be celebrating the centennary in style. The afternoon will start with a free luncheon at noon sponsored by Khan’s IGA, with the first race expected to jump at 1.20pm. A courtesy bus is available from the Nyngan RSL throughout the day. A family fun day is organised with lots of children’s activities like a merry-go-round, jumping castle, face painting and clowns to keep them busy. This has kindly been supported by Giles Engineering, Walsh Funerals and Three Rivers Machinery. The barbecue and afternoon tea along with some cold drinks will be sold by the golfing ladies and gents. Full tote and bookmaker facilities will be available on course. The bar will be fully stocked but please remember there is no bring-your-own alcohol. Last year saw the introduction of some new categories in the Fashions of the Fields and these will continue again this year.  Prizes for Best Dressed Lady Under 25, Best Dressed Lady Over 25 and Best Dressed Male. Fashions of the Fields will include three categories for the teenagers to tots.  Please remember this is autumn racing for the fashions, even though at times our weather does not feel like it. Thank you to Jazz Em Up, Fifi’s Hair Salon and Nyngan Jockey Club for sponsorship. The main feature of the day is the Nyngan RSL Anzac Centenary Cup, a Benchmark 65 1400m with $10,000 prizemoney.  Last year’s winner was Blades of Glory, making it two Nyngan Cups in a row. Blades of Glory was ridden by Michael Hackett and is owned by locals Greg Deacon, Chris Elder and Jockey Club President Dennis Thorpe.  The talk is all about whether this horse can make it three-in-a-row, however there has been no confirmation if he will be running. We know the boys would like to see him go round again.  Local trainer Rodney Robb quinellaed the Cup last year and it is highly anticipated he will have a full contingent of horses heading to the track.  Garry Bignell is another local trainer who tasted success last year and he is hoping it continues again this year. He says the track is looking good and his small team of horses are ready to make themselves known. Bob Foran will return to call the race meeting and he has expressed his great privilege in doing this. Other races on the day are the Khan’s IGA Benchmark 55 900m, the Diggers Benchmark 45 1200m, Neill Earthmoving & Nyngan Pharmacy Class 1 Handicap 1100m, Max Smith Maiden Plate 900m and Ray Barrow Maiden Plate 1200m. As the day is to celebrate the Anzac Centenary on track, trophies for the day will reflect this as a beautiful reminder of this poignant occasion. Winning horse owners will receive a DVD of the race courtesy of Nyngan Newsagency. This year a punter’s club will be established for the local races with a well-known local identity sought out to make the selections.  This will sure be a crowd pleaser and very entertaining. There is plenty of talk as to who this local person may be and some feel it should be themselves. The selected punter will be announced to the crowd on the day prior to the first race and will begin punting on the first race. Shares will be sold for $10 on the day at the secretary’s office and on course. All the helpers, jockeys and trainers are beautifully catered through the support of several local cooks, Ducks’ Nutz and Nyngan Jockey Club. Nyngan Anzac Races have some new sponsors on board this year and they are thanked for their contributions. Without their help & assistance race meetings would not go ahead. By supporting Nyngan Jockey Club you are supporting many local clubs and businesses in town. There is still time for sponsors to come on board; even a small amount makes a great difference. Please contact the secretary Wendy Robb on 68322492 for further information or any questions.
