Hawkesbury Race Club's annual TAB Stand Alone Saturday is ready to take place this Saturday, April 27 as the club and all involved are keen for the big day.
The Stand Alone has become an integral part of the Sydney Autumn schedule as it follows on from the success of the Australian Turf Club's Golden Slipper Carnival at Rosehill Gardens and The Championships at Royal Randwick.
After its inception in 2006, the TAB Stand Alone Saturday is in it's 14th year and is set to feature Australia's best trainers, jockeys and horses.
Former world champion sprinter, Chautauqua, winner of the 2014 running of the Group 3 Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas, as well as Zoustar, Alverta, Fravashi and last year's TAB Clarendon Stakes winner, Graff, will be there on the day.
There is more than $1.3 million dollars in prize money for the day, which will be highlighted by the $200,000 Group 3 Livamol Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) and the $200,000 Group 3 Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m).
The outstanding 2019 race card, also features the new sponsorship of the Group 3 $175,000 Killahy Equine Crown, as well as the $125,000 TAB Clarendon Stakes [previously known as the Claret] for two-year-olds.
Whilst an excellent total of 166 entries was received, Hawkesbury Race Club increased the opportunity to nominate in case they missed Monday's 11am deadline for those because of the Easter Monday public holiday.
The extended races are the Guineas, the Cup, the Crown, Clarendon Stakes, the $125,000 Provincial Stayers Benchmark 78 Handicap (2100m) and the $125,000 Benchmark 78 Handicap (1500m).
Eighteen horses were originally entered for the Guineas, 15 for the Cup, 19 for the Crown, 13 for the Clarendon 2YO, 16 for the Provincial Stayers and 18 for the 1500m Benchmark 78.
Twenty-one sprinters have been nominated for the $140,000 Hawkesbury XXXX Gold Rush (1100m), 23 for the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m) and the same number for the TAB Highway Handicap (1100m).
Hawkesbury chief executive Greg Rudolph is delighted with the strong nominations right across the nine-race program.
"There is great quality in all the stakes races, befitting those of Group 3 and Listed standard," Rudolph said.
"This meeting continues to grow and is an important part of the autumn calendar.
"With a promising forecast and our track in great order, we are looking forward to a great day's racing on Saturday."
"We are on track to better our 2017 fields in terms of quality and number of acceptors, which will set a new record for us."
There will be plenty of action off the field as the club will host Fashions on the Field, pop up bars and food trucks.
Fashions on the Field will be judged by Carol Maher, Vanessa Hill and racing fashion personality, The Style Doctor, Kash O'Hara.
There will be close to $10,000 worth of prizes for the winners and runner ups.
These will include; Kennedy VRC Oaks racing tours [for winners only], various gift vouchers, flowers and a bottle of Moet Champagne for both the men's and lady's categories.
This year's entertainment will feature live performances from four times platinum recording artist and ex-Australia's Got Talent contestant Timomatic.
He will be joined by 2015 winner of The Voice Australia, Ellie Drennan [who will also perform the national anthem before race 7] and a jazz trio will welcome race goers at the main gates.
For ticketing information visit hawkesburyraceclub.com.au or call HRC's office on 4577 2263.