Benalla turns out in numbers for Gold Cup on perfect spring day

By Adam Miller

Oct 1, 2024

Benalla Golf Cup's Best Dressed Tot, Willoh Robinson. Photo: Issie Hill Photo by Contributed

Benalla Racing Club has hailed this year's Gold Cup its most successful, and plans for expansion are on the horizon.

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General manager Cameron Symes said the club was thrilled with the day’s proceedings, culminating in five-year-old gelding Suizuro, ridden by Zac Spain and trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, saluting in the $125,000 Benalla Gold Cup.

Symes said his highlight of the day was seeing the victories of local trainers Olivia Osborne and Troy Corstens.

Osborne triumphed in the $35,000 Foote Handicap, with Kingwell ridden by Teo Nugent, and Corstens was victorious in the $50,000 Ryan and McNulty Sawmillers Weary Dunlop Handicap, with Red Dates ridden by Patrick Moloney.

Symes believes the success of local winners added an extra layer of excitement and community pride.

“The Benalla Cup, in particular, is a major event that unites the town and showcases the region's talent and enthusiasm for racing,” Symes said.

Off the track, the club says its offerings were well received, with Fashions on the Fields, in particular, proving to be as popular as ever, as racegoers young of age or young of heart strutted their stuff on the catwalk.

“Feedback on the facilities and service was overwhelmingly positive, with many guests eager to return next year,” Symes said.

With another successful event completed, the Benalla Racing Club aims to further establish itself as one of the premier rural racing clubs in Victoria.

“Plans are already in place to further enhance the race day experience, particularly in terms of boosting community involvement,” Symes said.