SOMETIMES, a day at the races is not always about the horses.

Fashions-on-the-field is an essential part of race-day, and race-goers at the Agri Storage and Logistics Moree Cup meeting on Sunday will be in the running for some valuable prizes from local sponsors  Beauty Matters, Assef’s Moree, Campbell’s Fuel Service and Robins Nest For Children.

Categories include Best Millinery, Best-Dressed Lady, Best-Dressed Man, Best-Dressed Couple, and two special sections for the kids – under-seven and seven to14 years.

Moree Race Club secretary Michelle Gobbert said fashions are a popular feature on race-day, especially at this time of year as Moree shakes off winter and heads into perfect spring weather.

“As well as fashions-on-the-field, we’ll have face-painting for the kids, a courtesy bus to and from the track and marquees for all patrons – and we’re hoping to get some of this nice spring weather we’ve all been enjoying,” Michelle smiled.

Michelle said Fashions on the Field has again been well supported by sponsors.

“Nat from Beauty Matters is a long-time supporter of cup day fashions. As well as Beauty Matters’ packs for the day, we have local businesses Assef’s and Campbell’s Fuels supporting the men’s and couples’ categories and Robins Nest for Children providing prizes for under-sevens and older children aged seven to 14,” she said.

This year’s Moree Cup meeting is spread over three days, with a gala charity ball and dinner Friday night and golf day and cup eve calcutta on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s Moree Cup meeting.

The eight-race card, with a whopping $300,000 prize money, features the 1400m Agri Storage and Logistics Moree Cup, 950m Boland Petroleum Moree Moree Town Plate and 1400m McGregor Gourlay and North West Events Maiden.

Supporting races include the 1300m Moree Services Club Benchmark 58 Showcase Handicap, 950m North West Ginning Class 3 Showcase Handicap, 1200m Campbell’s Fuel Service and RDO Equipment Country Boosted Class 1 Handicap, 1600m Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Class 1 and Maiden Showcase Plate and 950m 2VM NOW FM and Sparkes Jewellers Country Boosted Maiden Showcase Handicap.

(from left) Dibs Cush from Robins Nest, Daniel Assef, Moree Race Club secretary Michelle Gobbert and Natalee Cook from Beauty Matters with the time-honoured Moree Cup.

Nominations for the meeting close at 11am today.

Like all big-ticket events in Moree, sponsorship from local and corporate businesses is vitally important.

Again, Moree Race Club has been overwhelmingly supported.

Also on board are Adama, Agriware, Ampol, Australian Turf Club Foundation, B&W Rural, Cloud 9 Skin and Beauty, Crème Studio, DieselGas Moree, Fork and Spade Nursery, Grays Online, Hair By Ardee, Harborne Auto Electrical and Air-Conditioning, Montana Partnership, Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, Moree Services Club, Oaks Resort Cypress Lakes, Phoebe’s Moree, Plaine Boutique, PWD Plumbing and PWD Civil and Ag, Reado’s Meats, artist Ian Reardon, Rydges World Square, Sally Crossing, Statewide Aviation, Heffernan Electrical and McGregor Gourlay.

“Sponsors are really important to the club and our race-days,” Michelle said.

“Their support showcases our local businesses and it’s a great way for them to get involved in an organisation that gives back to the community – their generous sponsorship allows us to do that.

“It’s going to be a very busy weekend. We have the charity ball and dinner Friday night to raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, with special guest Daniel Mortimer,” she said.

“There’s a bit of a rugby league connection, and the night also features Mortimers Wines from the family winery and vineyard – they’ll provide the wine for the dinner.

“There are also auctions – a silent auction online which is open now and a live auction on the night,” she said.

“On Saturday, there is a four-person, nine-hole ambrose at Moree Golf Club – tickets for that are sold out – and the Moree Cup calcutta at the club Saturday night from around 6pm.”

Ticket sales for Friday night’s gala ball and dinner close late today at Agri Storage and Logistics Moree Cup Weekend of Racing.

“There are still tickets available for the ball, for anyone that would like to attend,” Michelle said.

“We’d love to have as many people as possible – the more there is, the more money we can raise for the rescue chopper.”

Meanwhile, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Moree Volunteer Support Group will hold its annual general meeting in September and invites new members to go along and discover what volunteering for such a vital service is all about.

The AGM and general meeting will be held at Moree Golf Club on Tuesday, September 9 at 5.30pm.

For more information, contact Libby Smith on 0447 056281.

Moree Race Club Cup Weekend and Fundraiser

When: August 29-30-31

Where: Moree racecourse

August 29: Grays Online Charity Ball at Moree racecourse, from 5.30pm

August 30: Moree Cup calcutta

August 31: Moree Cup race meeting at Moree racecourse, from midday

Tickets for all events: Agri Storage and Logistics Moree Cup Weekend of Racing

Online Auction: Gala Bid Moree Chopper Ball