A FULL slate of horses and riders will compete in the 2024 Pooncarie Cup today.
Pooncarie Racing Club president Lyle Massey said it was fantastic to see a full field.
“It’s looking to be a day of great racing,” he said.
“To get 12 jockeys to come up here is something I didn’t think I’d ever see.
“The lowest number of riders in a race is seven for the first one, and that used to be the maximum number we’d get.
“Some people are travelling quite a fair way with their horses.
“Having good numbers of runners, and jockeys is like the icing on the cake of a fantastic day.”
The meeting will see horses and riders from as far away as Swan Hill, Murray Bridge, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, and more.
Former Red Cliffs jockey Stacey Metcalfe will be riding in a few races including the Wentworth and District Community Bank Branch Bendigo Bank Pooncarie Cup.
Top weight Wild Imagination has entered the competition with more than $300,000 in previously won race prize money, though Mr Massey said Jamrock was not one to be missed.
“With a pretty consistent form, I dare say she would be one of the hardest to beat,” he said.
Mr Massey said the sponsorship provided by local businesses and other patrons in the lead up to the event has been amazing.
“Everything has been leading toward this year being one of our most successful, but without that support we wouldn’t have a meeting,” he said.
