Buoyed by a sold-out Ladies Day, Perth Racecourse is keen to build on the early-season success this month.
The bet365 Perth Gold Cup takes place at the Scone track on Sunday and features the prestigious £27,500 bet365 Sam Morshead Perth Gold Cup.
Less than a fortnight later, the Saturday, June 18 fixture offers £100,000 in total for owners and trainers that support Perth through the core summer season, for races in classes 3-5, with a minimum race value of £9000.
Perth Racecourse CEO Hazel Peplinski said: “We couldn’t be happier with the strong start to our 2022 season and being able to share our racing with our regular racegoers in a safe environment once more.
“That we sold out our mid-week Ladies Day recently to 6000 loyal customers who held credit with us for over two years was incredibly powerful for my team to experience and has given us a huge boost.
“We were all stretched to the max but it was a rewarding day to see so many people enjoying being back at Perth – it was really jumping.”
She added: “We are nothing without the horses and being located so far north does create some anxiety about the level of support we should expect from owners and trainers from England, Ireland and Wales.
“Whilst the support has been really encouraging, we are continuing to do everything we can to ensure those who visit Perth feel truly appreciated and win or lose, have a good experience.”
Further good news lies in the next step in Perth’s commitment to improving horse welfare.
The racecourse’s chase fences have already been converted from orange to white trim.
And, building on this, Perth’s June Saturday fixture sees the launch of new padded hurdles, with white trim, replacing the traditional birch designs.
Peplinski added: “Welfare is a very large part of this and so introducing the “one fit” modified hurdle frames on June 18, which come with a custom fitting close-cell foam pad replacing the traditional birch filling, is a massive step forward.
“We work closely with champion jockey Brian Hughes who has been advocating this step for a while now and we are delighted to have been able to take his advice and invest in injury prevention for horse and jockey.
“Our groundstaff find dealing with any injury to a horse the worst part of their jobs and it is deeply satisfying to see their excitement about this innovative step and getting to grips with the installation of the new hurdle design.”
Peplinski also took time to offer her condolences following the passing of legendary jockey Lester Piggott, who died at the age of 86.
Lester was champion jockey on 11 occasions and ended his career with 4493 winners including nine in the Epsom Derby.
The Perth chief said: “For once legendary is the correct word to use here as Lester was just that – a truly incredible character who transcended horse-racing with his brilliance and was worshipped by racing fans world-wide.
“From everyone at Perth Racecourse, we offer our condolences to the family and close friends of Lester who are in our thoughts.”
Tickets for the bet365 Gold Cup Day on Sunday are available at www.perth-races.co.uk
