Up to 3000 people are expected to cheer on hometown horse San Carlo during its tilt for the Shepparton Gold Cup.
Shepparton Harness Racing Club manager Ian McDonald said the Steve O’Donoghue-trained horse was a major drawcard.
‘‘They support the locals and with San Carlo representing the local area it’s fantastic and has resulted in a huge wave of support,’’ he said.
With plenty of the region’s trainers and drivers on show during the night locals will have plenty to cheer about with Laura Crossland and partner David Moran as well as Linton Power and Amanda Turnbull among those to feature.
McDonald said the allure of the gold cup remained as strong as ever in the community.
‘‘The Shepparton Cup is one of the major events on the sporting calendar in Shepp, it’s renowned for the quality racing it produces and has been a stepping stone for all the horses going on to bigger and better things,’’ he said.
‘‘We always do seem to attract a pretty good crowd, it’s always been a major event and the weather is going to be good, so there’s no excuse really.’’
While the first race is at 6.03 pm, gates open at 4.30 pm with McDonald saying the evening of entertainment would begin once the public is trackside.
‘‘There’s a lot of family fun and entertainment to bring the kids around and everything’s free from the jumping castles to the pony rides,’’ he said.
Bars and bistros will also be open, while courtesy buses will ferry patrons to the track from Mooroopna’s Royal Mail Hotel as well as various locations in Shepparton.
