DOMELAND is forging an even stronger partnership with Wyong Race Club.
The international breeding and racing operation not only has stables on course, but has branched into sponsorship with the club.
Wyong chief executive Greg Purcell, in welcoming Domeland on board as sponsor of the club’s feature fillies and mares’ event, the Mona Lisa Stakes, said they will also be involved in a number of other sponsorship areas.
The Mona Lisa, run over 1350m with Listed race status, carries a $200,000 purse and is staged at the Wyong Cup carnival in September.
“Along with sponsoring the Mona Lisa, Domeland also is lending its support to the first of a number of locality racedays we will be promoting in the new season,” Purcell said.
“That will be the Kulnura Cup meeting on Sunday, August 4 and supporting events will include the Mangrove Mountain Plate and Somersby Bracelet.”
Domeland has a property at Kulnura as well as 28 stables on course at Wyong.
“We are negotiating with Domeland to build additional stables at the track,” Purcell added.
“And they also will be involved in the sponsorship of contestants at the RacingNSW-backed Equimillions to be held on the October long weekend in Sydney.
“The club sponsored eight riders last year and Kim Waugh Racing sponsored a further three, and we are looking to expand on that number this year.
“We are seeking expressions of interest from riders in our area keen to compete at the Equimillions.”
The privately-owned Domeland in 2022 appointed Sara Ryan as its head trainer, and she has already won 35 races for them.
Her 22 winners so far this season include the $3m The Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November with Attractable, and she won the first two races at Kembla Grange last Saturday with New Forest and Aix En Provence.
Racing is certainly on the up at Wyong, with Purcell reporting a 58 per cent increase in patronage this season on the same period last year.
“We are expecting to run 26 race meetings in the new financial year, which would include an Australian Turf Club Wednesday meeting and two Saturday Gosford meetings whilst their track is undergoing major work,” Purcell said.
“We will also host a Gosford Thursday meeting next month (June 13).
“Once our Cup is run on Friday, September 6, we will take a break from racing for nearly two months to enable important drainage work to be undertaken.
“We will also sand slit the entire course proper and rewax the Polytrack at the same time.
“Wyong will be back in action to resume racing at the Thursday, October 31 meeting.”
The club is also awaiting the finalisation of tenders for an irrigation upgrade at the course.
The drainage and irrigation projects, along with a new machinery shed, at a cost of more than $1.5m, were announced in late February by the Minister for Gaming and Racing and Member for Wyong David Harris as part of a $20m State Government investment in provincial and country racetracks.
This also featured $2m for an important re-cambering of the home turn at Gosford.
Story John Curtis, May 20, 2024
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