3 minute read
Ascot’s autumn carnival has officially launched with a $51 outsider, Lunar Impact winning the $250,000 Group 3 City of Belmont-WA Oaks at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday.
Lunar Impact ridden by Jason Whiting for Trainer and part-owner David Harrison, made a mid-race move to win by a short-neck from challenging favourite Pure Devotion (second) and Temptacion (third). With Jockey William Pike proved his stripes representing Peters Investments and Trainers Grant and Alana Williams in the cerise and white aboard Western Empire winning the Listed $100,000 Schweppes-Melvista Stakes, a pre-cursor to the Schweppes WATC Derby on April 10.
Perth Racing Managing Director, Professor John Yovich AM said, "The City of Belmont - WA Oaks Day has again attracted an exciting field of two year old fillies alongside the beautiful autumn weather. A terrific day for racegoers, we're very excited for the Autumn Ascot Racing Carnival where guests may fall in love with our restaurants and event experiences surrounded by the beautiful gardens at Ascot Racecourse," Yovich said.
The City of Belmont has a strong association with Ascot Racecourse and in its 69th edition, the City of Belmont-WA Oaks Day was filled with Ascot good times for families, fashionistas and fans of horse racing, including hobby horse tournaments for the kids, pony rides, face painting, garden games, bouncy castles, magicians and representatives from partners Horsepower Australia.
The Autumn Ascot Racing Carnival comprises of four marquee meetings (City of Belmont WA Oaks Day on Saturday 27 March, Good Friday on Friday 2 April, Amelia Park Karrakatta Plate Day on Saturday 3 April and Schweppes WATC Derby Day on Saturday 10 April) with many of Western Australia's top horses, jockeys, trainers and owners competing for more than $3 million in prizemoney across the carnival's 36 races.
Don't forget Good Friday on April 2 when Perth Racing throws open the Ascot Racecourse gates for the fourth time since pioneering the FREE ENTRY family day back in 2017. With bars, restaurants, food trucks and kids activities galore, it all opens from 12pm. The best FREE ticket in town this Easter. Plus, a special visit from the Easter bunny, garden games, mini golf, bouncy castle, face painting, petting zoo and bubble activity, and a PETER RABBIT 2 craft corner.
Adjacent to the track in the historic Bookmakers Pavilion on Amelia Park Karrakatta Plate Day on Saturday April 3 is Perth Racing's very popular Fashions on the Field competition featuring categories for men, women and families with great prizes up for grabs. Well-dressed racegoers will be able to enter on the day if they have not pre-registered via Perth Racing's website.
To finish, Perth Racing invites guests to enjoy a little class and dress up in the traditional black and white for Schweppes WATC Derby Day April 10. Come out for the Dar-bee, perhaps try your hand in the very popular TABtouch Punters Club event which is selling fast and has great cash prizes and real betting money. There really is something for everyone with plenty of Ascot good times for families, fashionistas and fans of horse racing alike across the three weeks.
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