It’s one of the most anticipated events on Australia’s country racing calendar and with the retiring of a reigning monarch, newcomers from across the country will be looking to snag their share of more than $150,000 on offer at the 2025 Casterton Foodworks Cup Day meeting.
Free buses, trackside entertainment, fashions on the field, first class catering, marquees bursting at the seams with visitors and undercover betting ring are just a taste of the entertainment and attractions at Casterton’s nationally-renowned big day of racing.
On track, the Casterton Foodworks Cup offers a $50,000 purse and potential $20,000 bonus to the winner and after the cup, the inaugural Two Rivers Steeplechase will be the most-watched event of the day, with an $80,000 purse on offer this year.
In 2024, the Symon Wilde-trained Elvison was crowned the King of Casterton as he took out his third consecutive Two Rivers Steeplechase.
In front of a large and vibrant crowd, the 10-year-old and local favourite, put on another faultless display of front-running jumping to take the prize and make history at the track.
With Elvison’s retirement to a new role as an OTT showjumper, Casterton Racing Club manager John Donnelly Donnelly said he was excited to see who would take over the crown.
“Symon Wilde is always a great supporter of the Casterton Racing Club, he always says how much he enjoys coming here and is very complementary of our track and facilities,” Mr Donnelly said.
“We do not know who we’ll see coming through this year, but it’ll be exciting to watch!”
The Two Rivers was born from the famed Rick McIntosh race call of “where the Wannon meets the Glenelg”, in reference to the junction of Western Victoria’s two biggest river systems, lying less than a kilometre from the live hedge track.
“The racing club has worked hard to ensure that this race gets the recognition it deserves and we’re really proud that together with the Casterton Cup, we can offer $150,000 in prize money for just two races,” Mr Donnelly said.
Casterton’s live hedge track is the only one of its kind in Australia and the annual steeplechase attracts racegoers from across Victoria and South Australia, as some of Australia’s best jumps horses compete, jumping the 20 live hedge steeples over 3800 metres.
“The steeplechase is a sight to behold at Casterton, with the amphitheatre-style facilities giving spectators a terrific view of the entire course,” Mr Donnelly said.
As always, punters will have the choice of on-course TAB or undercover bookmakers’ betting ring, with the big screens showing every minute of the action on the track.
And for those who like to add some alternate entertainment to their day, two bars will be open to quench your thirst, alongside a huge selection of catering to tempt the tastebuds.
Growing in momentum each year, the stage overflowing with entrants in 2024, the Fashions on the Field program – including men’s, women’s, children’s and local section, is once again expected to be hotly contested.
“Our local, race-going ladies are very fashion-savvy and we wanted to highlight local support for the races and this event,” Mr Donnelly said.
“This year we have got Jodie Leahy, partner of south-west racing commentator, Matt Stewart, coming into help us with the judging, so it should be another big day on the stage.
“There’s no pre-entry, you can just enter in the grandstand, on the day and there are always some amazing prizes on offer for the winners.”
To add to the festivities of the occasion, live music will be provided by roaming minstrels who will be seen right across the course.
For the kids, the playground will be open and the face painter will be on-hand to add a splash of colour to their day.
General admission is $20 at the gate and free return bus services will also run to the Casterton Racecourse from Mount Gambier and from within the Casterton township, see the timetable in next week’s edition for full details.
For more information, visit www.country.racing.com/casterton or the Casterton Racing Club’s Facebook page.
