‘We can’t wait for this weekend’: Shepparton Cup returns with bumper night of festivities
The biggest night on the Shepparton Greyhound Racing Club’s calendar arrives on Saturday with the running of the Group Two Shepparton Cup.
An 11-race program will greet punters and racegoers on Saturday evening, with the $74,335 Shepparton Cup (450m) the headline act on the action-packed meeting.
A class line-up has qualified for the race eight feature, with recent Australian Cup (Group One) winning talent Fernando Mick set to jump from the inside box.
This year’s edition is set to be a fun-filled night of activities on and off the track.
AFL legend Anthony Koutoufides will be in attendance and rubbing shoulders with punters, while there will be kids’ entertainment, food vans, a live DJ and a Sportsbet marquee.
There is also further incentive to get trackside on Saturday night with the chance for patrons to win $1000 a race giveaway if number four wins (conditions apply).
Club manager Carl McGrath said all involved at the club were excited about the night.
“We can’t wait for this weekend, it’s our first one back with normal crowds and without density limits, so it should be a great night,” McGrath said.
“Anthony Koutoufides will be there for people to meet and grab a photo with, while we’ll have plenty of other attractions like food vans, kids’ activities, a DJ and punters club run by Mitch Sidebottom.”
Regulars to the Shepparton Cup will notice for the first time a new initiative by the club.
“We’re doing a community sports challenge giveaway with eight local sporting clubs allocated a dog in the race and the winner receives $5000,” McGrath said.
“It’s been really well received by clubs and we’ve got a mix of football, netball, cricket, rugby and shooting clubs involved.”
In terms of the Shepparton Cup field, McGrath was impressed with the quality of the runners that will contest for the time-honoured event.
Jumping from the red box is Fernando Mick, while Salad Dodger — who broke the 450m track record during Monday night’s heats — will jump from box five.
Salad Dodger’s trainer Anthony Azzopardi is gunning for back-to-back Shepparton Cup triumphs after he claimed last year’s race with Substantial.
“We’ve got very good fields in virtually every race on the night and the cup is no exception,” McGrath said.
“It’s a fantastic field with a really good mix of up-and-coming and older experienced dogs.”
Gates open at 5pm and entry is free.
