15 Dec 2017 Wangaratta Chronicle, Wangaratta VIC (General News) by Cam Potter OVER 2500 people are expected to attend tomorrows Christmas Party races at Wangaratta Turf Club with 17 locally trained horses set to provide the entertainment. With marquee bookings a key feature, Wangaratta Turf Club chief executive officer Paul Hoysted said it will make for a great day of racing. Over 1500 people have booked into enjoy the afternoon which is really strong, Hoysted said. Hoysted said the racing is usually well supported by the local trainers. I expect strong fields in the racing, he said. We typically have strong numbers apply and I know a lot of the local trainers target the day. It will make for an enjoyable day for everyone. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) yesterday announced the Labor Government is contributing more than $25,000 to support the event, and a further $22,000 for six newly installed practice starting gates at Wangaratta Racecourse. Continued page 39 From back page Patrons heading to the track will enjoy live music by Swipe Right and an array of local food and wine. There will be plenty of Christmas joy for the kids, with a range of sporting activities, a mist fan station and giant water slides on offer. Complimentary buses will also run from various locations in and around the Wangaratta central business district. Steve Cunningham will have five runners with Hip Hip jumping out in race two, Corregio in race three, Doogans Rise in race four, Absolutelycertain in race five and The Weald in race six. Hip Hip is coming off a three to four month spell, but will race well and be better for the run, Cunningham said. Corregio is an older horse, we are just trying to work out if he wants to race anymore or not and just retire as a show horse. Doogans Rise is the pick of the lot, he drew barrier one and is in career best form; he should be winning. Absolutelycertain will be racing in his first race up from a spell and it normally takes about a race to reach his peak; I expect him to run well. The Weald will be racing for the first time under me but has won two races in a row before coming here. He typically races alright after a short journey, hes fresh and I reckon he will run a sneaky race and be around the place getters. Cunningham said Wangaratta Turf Clubs Christmas Racing falls at a good time for trainers. It allows us to race them before the holiday period and get a run into them before Boxing Day racing, he said. There is also a wide variety of distances and classes which appeals to the trainers. Other local trainers to have horses running are Renee Hoysted with three runners in Smuggling (race two), Chaff Bandit (race three) and Auspicious Lad (race four). James Fraser will also have three runners with Walks on Water (race two), Get Ya Kicks (race three) and Powers Lookout (race six) and Adrian Corboy will race Medard (race two) and Baradine Boy (race six). Chris Davis Briconi will leap out in race two and Ruary Mac will jump out in race six, Fitzgerald Racings Lonquest will also compete in a locally stacked race two and Ledger Racings Rustic Debutante will compete in race five. Caption Text: < WINNING RUN: Five-year-old gelding The Weald, with trainer Steve Cunningham, will run in race six tomorrow. The Weald has won his past two races, at Tamworth in August and Port Macquarie in July. PHOTO: Emma Hillier Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.