The Murrumbidgee Turf Club is honoured to present the annual Wagga Gold Cup Carnival featuring the Tooheys Town Plate Day on Thursday May 2 and the Lucas Road Sealing Wagga Gold Cup Day on Friday May 3 with just under $1 million dollars in prize money on offer across both days.

The Lucas Road Sealing Wagga Gold Cup Carnival is the biggest two-day carnival in country NSW, with the Showcase meeting offering a minimum of $30,000 in prize money for every race. The final field for the Wagga Gold Cup, Tooheys Town Plate and MTC Guineas will be locked away on Tuesday 1 May with a Barrier Draw at 10.00am to be conducted in the MTC Members Lounge. 

The Autumn racing atmosphere kicks off on Tooheys Town Plate Day, which sees an eight-race card, with the feature race, the Tooheys Town Plate (1200m) worth $200,000 prize money. 2023 winner Mnementh will be back to defend his Town Plate title, whilst recent Newhaven Park Country Championship winner Asgarda is also nominated. Amongst the nominations are Group Three winner Crosshaven, dual Kosciuszko conqueror Front Page, newcomer to Matt Dale’s stable Gravina and impressive Hareeba Stakes winner Maharba. 

With 10,000 patrons expected through the gates, the $200,000 Lucas Road Sealing Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) is the feature race with a strong support program featuring the $80,000 JRC Electrical Services MTC Guineas and the $75,000 Byrne Trailers Queen of the South. 

The Tim Donnelly trained Cliff House will fly the flag for local runners in the Gold Cup, having won both the Albury Mile and Gundagai Cup to gain exemption, Chris Waller Racing have won four of the past six Cups and will be represented again whilst former winners Busuttin and Young Racing have several nominated runners. Previous Sydney and Brisbane Cup winner Knights Order is a likely runner for the Waterhouse and Bott stable whilst the Annabel Neasham stable has four runners nominated for a good chance in the Cup. 

With exceptional racing comes brilliant talent as Lizzie Jelfs will be on course on Friday for the second year in a row conducting interviews, providing tips and engaging with the crowd. The 2024 Faces of the Carnival, Jess Knox and Mitchell Cawley, will be roaming on course with the talented Cut Above Media interviewing excited race goers over each day of the Carnival. The National Anthem will be sung by Rebecca Taber, who will set the tone for the horses to jump from the barriers for the 2024 Wagga Gold Cup at 4.15pm.

The Kristopher Graydon Jewellers Fashions on the Field precinct will include a prize pool of over $17,000 worth of prizes which is made up of donations from the generous Wagga community. Fashion Editor Damien Woolnough will sit amongst past Wagga Gold Cup Fashions on the Field winner Viera Macikova and Fashions on the Field Enthusiast Crystal Kimber- Peters who will, as a combination determine the Lady of the Day, Most Stylish Couple, Man of the Day, Contemporary and Millinery awards.  

Murrumbidgee Turf Club CEO, Jason Ferrario is excited about the large crowds returning to the track for this year’s Carnival, “The atmosphere of the Gold Cup is unmatched to any other country race meet in NSW. With the great prize money on offer, the racing itself is always of the highest quality, with leading horses, trainers and jockeys competing across the two days”. 

“Hospitality has again sold out in the weeks prior to Cup Day and general admission ticket sales at this time indicate another big crowd will be in attendance. The MTC recommends ticket purchases being made online, as this speeds up the entry process on race day”. 

The Punters Podium will be in full swing across both days located near the main Grandstand with Sky Racing form expert Brodie Nickson providing race goers with tips and insights into each race as well as placing bets on behalf of the Punters Club. Shares can be purchased for $10. 

There will be no shortage of entertainment with the Wagga All Stars Jazz Band captivating the crowd on the front lawn, Aaron Oldaker performing crowd favourites in the Tooheys Punters Paddock, as well as Radio Velvet who will keep the dance floor pumping after the last.

Gates open at 11.00am on both Thursday and Friday with bars in operation until 6.00pm. Free buses will be available on at the end of Cup Day departing from the Slocum Street exit from 4.30pm and will do circuits downtown where Tilly’s will be hosting the official Cup After Party. 

Media Enquiries 

Contact: MTC CEO Jason Ferrario, 0407 242 878. 

Contact: MTC Public Relations Specialist Jemima Lyons, 0439 760 078.