Club races into final Gold Cup before move

MBRC chairman Reg Nolan said the final Gold Cup at what will soon be the former home of racing in Murray Bridge, was a significant occasion in the race club’s history.

“The first race meeting was held on July 25, 1914 at the track on Maurice Road and we know look forward to the next chapter of the racing club,” he said.

“Over the last six, seven months we have been paying tribute to the history of the club on our social media because we do feel that it’s important to acknowledge it and not leave it behind simply because we’re moving.

“We will bringing it here to the new track with us.”

Mr Nolan said the Gold Cup had provided the club, and spectators, with many highlights over the years.

“It used to be a qualifying race for the Melbourne Cup so we would have champion trainers come to the club and want to win the race,” Mr Nolan said. 

“It was a targeted race for people wanting to get horses qualified late into the Melbourne Cup.

“However, once they started bringing in internationals to the Melbourne Cup their qualifying conditions were changed and our race then changed itself to be of a lesser distance which now runs over the 1600 metres.”

Despite the highs experienced by the club during the Gold Cup’s history, Mr Nolan acknowledged the tragic death of young jockey Caitlin Forrest during the race in 2014. 

“What happened was a tragedy and we acknowledge and remember Caitlin’s memory.” 

Mr Nolan said the Gold Cup had always been the club’s feature event, with the local community an important part of the race.

“We moved our race day from Wednesday to Friday to involve the community more and have them be a part of the event,” Mr Nolan said.

“It encourages people to come and have a relaxing day without having to worry about work the next day.

“It’s also a great showcase day for us because it gives us the opportunity to showcase Murray Bridge to a national audience, with visitors coming from interstate and then staying on the enjoy the region.”

Mr Nolan expressed the club’s delight at being named part of Myer’s Fashions on the Field and the advantage it offered to racegoers.

“It is a massive highlight to us because it’s recognition to be the sole South Australian participant,” he said.

“It will also give racegoers a great opportunity to take part in the national aspect of the competition.”

Mr Nolan said work on the new track was expected to be completed in mid 2019. 

“We still have to build some of the inner tracks, work to complete on the tunnel, access to the inner tracks, completion work on the horse stalls, landscaping, the carparks,” he said. 

“It offers a different level of functionality, it will allow the club to grow its business outside of the race days we currently conduct.

“The facility can seat up to 650 people and it also has the capacity to be able to cater to that amount of people as well.

“One of the other differences is that our members will enjoy a greater viewing aspect compared to what they currently enjoy at the other racecourse.

“In regards to the racecourse, it is a wider racecourse which allows us to have more rail shifts, which allows for more fresh ground on a regular basis.”

Mr Nolan said the local racing industry offered a significant boost to the economy of Murray Bridge. 

“It’s a vital part of Murray Bridge’s economy and contributes significantly to it,” Mr Nolan.

“According to our most recent statistics the racing industry contributes around $14.4 million annually to the local economy.

“Almost $13 million of that comes from thoroughbred racing.”