Winner of January’s Fashion on the Fields Nicole Walter, left, and her sister Brooke Walter. 76345 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By XAVIER SMERDON
THE Werribee Cup will be held for the second time this year with Racing Victoria announcing a new date for the iconic event.
The TAB Werribee Cup, as it is officially known, will be run on Sunday 16 December this year after already being held on Sunday 29 January.
The meeting was traditionally held prior to the Melbourne Cup before being hosted in March last year after a three year absence at the Werribee track.
The December Cup meeting will be the first held at the track after the departure of the international
horses that will be quarantined and trained at Werribee throughout the Spring Racing Carnival.
As part of the move, prize money for the meeting has been increased from $295,500 to $320,000
with the main event carrying a purse of $120,000.
New Racing Victoria General Manager – Werribee, Ross Kendell, said he thought the community would welcome the event back to a pre-Christmas timeslot.
“The Sunday, 16 December timeslot will provide a tremendous opportunity for local businesses,
family and friends to hold pre-Christmas celebrations whilst enjoying an outstanding Cup meeting
on the outskirts of Melbourne,” Mr Kendell said.
“The meeting will have all the best elements of bygone Werribee Cup meetings, such as Fashions
on the Field and a great racing program, all with a distinctively Christmas flavour.
“There’s been tremendous interest in corporate marquees, mini marquees and dining packages since the recent release of the race dates for the 2012-13 season and we expect the interest to grow even further for the December Cup meeting.”
For more information or bookings call the Werribee Racing Club on 9741 1800 or 9741 6849 or visit www.werribeeracingclub.com.au.
