With the AFL Grand Final signalling a close to the football season, sporting fans will now turn their focus trackside for Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington, where the World’s Best Horse on Turf in Winx will make her debut at Australia’s premier racetrack.
This Saturday, 7 October 2017, will see Winx shoot for her 21st consecutive victory in the $500,000 Group 1 Seppelt Turnbull Stakes (2000m), where Melburnians will get the opportunity to witness arguably the best horse since Black Caviar to race at Flemington.
Winx, who is stabled at trainer Chris Waller’s Flemington facility while in Melbourne, will continue her build up towards the Seppelt Turnbull Stakes with her final gallop on Thursday. Media will be able to capture vision of the super mare on the Flemington course proper at 6.30am on Thursday 5 October before hearing from trainer Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman at 7.00am.
The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is preparing additional facilities at Flemington for all racegoers to enjoy Winx on Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day, with the course being bolstered by additional screens, food and beverage outlets and Winx merchandise to ensure all racegoers can be in the moment with Winx.
All profits from merchandise will go to the National Jockeys Trust, as well as proceeds from the auction of signed saddlecloths from the Seppelt Turnbull Stakes, including Winx’s saddlecloth.
Members can get up close and personal with the wonder mare from the Members’ Lawn, or watch the action from a range of venues including The Forum, The Atrium and The Peak. General Admission areas will also be expanded, with the James Boag’s Premium Celebration Deck featuring entertainment from the Emerson Duo and the James Boag’s Premium Lawn Bar presenting the perfect space for racegoers to relax and revel in the action with a drink and live music by The Mad Hatters.
Children and their families can get into the spirit of Winx with Winx-themed hobby horse racing, silks and face painting. Other exciting free activities in the Kids’ Zone include yard games such as giant chess, croquet, jenga, lawn bowls, bocce, mini-golf and pony rides.
General admission precinct Saintly Place will hold extra significance on Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day, as it will be the first time the public can view the entire trophy collection bequeathed to the VRC by Cups King Bart Cummings.
The Bart Cummings Trophy Collection will be unveiled to media and special guests at 11am on Thursday 5 October, with 149 trophies to be on public display from Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day onwards. Anthony Cummings, James Cummings and Les Carlyon AC will be among those to speak at the event as they recall their memories of the Cups King and reflect on the importance of the collection in Australian sporting history
Gates open at 11:20am on Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day, with the first of nine races set to jump at 12:50pm. Other notable races include The Bart Cummings (2500m), a Group 3 event which offers the winner a ticket into the 2017 Emirates Melbourne Cup.
Metro trains will run special services to and from Flemington for Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day, with trains departing Southern Cross Station between 10:59am and 1:39pm and return services departing Flemington between 4:55pm and 7:20pm.
Tickets to Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day are available from Ticketek. Children under 16 are FREE when accompanied by an adult.
For more information head to Flemington.com.au.
