Special fund-raising initiatives will be in place at the Randwick meeting to assist rural communities and participants in NSW affected by recent bushfires across the state.
Money raised on Saturday will help towards the care of livestock and other animals where feed and other commodities are in short supply.
There is already a guaranteed $100,000 from sponsors along with the Australian Turf Club and Racing NSW who have each contributed $10,000 to the Racing for the Bushfires Appeal.
There are also several one-off items to be auctioned including:
* The boots and breeches worn by jockey Hugh Bowman during Winx’s first Cox Plate victory, Doncaster Handicap and Furore’s win in the Hong Kong Derby
* An oil painting of Winx signed by Hugh Bowman and her trainer Chris Waller, donated by his wife Stephanie Waller
* Special Australia Day silks signed by several of Sydney’s leading jockeys
* A Sydney Thunder jersey signed by players.
Donations have also been received from around Australia and the world, including from Royal Ascot and a Sydney racing fan in the United States.
“The bushfire crisis has demonstrated the extraordinarily brave and selfless work of so many volunteers and we pay tribute to them all this Saturday,” ATC chief executive Jamie Barkley said.
“We want to make sure all of the funds raised during the Racing for the Bushfire Appeal go directly to help communities and who have lost livestock and animals or are continuing to care for them in the wake of the bushfires.
“This will include direct provision of hay and feed for horses and livestock across NSW.”
