Gunnedah Jockey Club is gearing up for its premier event of the year – the Gunnedah Gold Cup.

The jockey club has scheduled an eight-race card for Sunday at Riverside Racecourse.

Headlining this year’s event will be former Gunnedah identity and prominent metropolitan trainer, Greg Hickman.

The now Sydney-based trainer is expected to join guests in the main marquee on race day and be part of pre-race Calcutta on Saturday night at the Railway Hotel from about 6.30pm.

The 1600m Gold Cup, sponsored by Mannion Drilling, is tipped to be another closely contested race.

Defending Cup champion and hometown hero Annie’s Street, trained by Gunnedah’s Gavin Groth, is a possible contender this weekend.

She secured a win for the ages when she took out top honours in the 2022 event.

It had always been an ambition of the local trainer to bring home the Cup – and it was achieved, courtesy of a 10/10 ride by jockey Jackson Searle, who extracted the last ounce of effort from Annie’s Street to win narrowly.

Jockey club president Kevin Edmonds said the Gunnedah mare is looking good again for Sunday’s race.

He encouraged those planning to attend to book early for the marquee with racegoers from across the North West region and beyond expected to attend this weekend.

“We already have bookings from Tamworth and Newcastle,” Edmonds said on Tuesday.

“This race day always brings a lot of people to town.”

Trackside at Gunnedah, organisers have planned fashions on the field, sponsored by Willow & Fli and Goodness & Gracious, for best dressed on the day. This will be complemented by a licensed bar, canteen with hot food, coffee van with cakes and slices as well as on-course bookmakers facilities.

Courtesy buses to the racecourse will leave from the golf club at about 11am on Sunday, picking up at the ParkView and McDonalds bus stops.

Tickets for general admission are available at the gate but those seeking marquee tickets, including businesses and group bookings, should email the jockey club to ensure they don’t miss out.

Grab your mates, friends and family for a great day out at the races.

To order photos from this page click here