Free entry makes for a day of fun and frivolity at Chief Minister’s Cup
TWO race meets into the modified 2020 Darwin Cup Carnival and racegoers are well and truly relishing the opportunity to frock up, flutter and frolic their way through Darwin Turf Club at Fannie Bay.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TWO race meets into the modified 2020 Darwin Cup Carnival and racegoers are well and truly relishing the opportunity to frock up, flutter and frolic their way through Darwin Turf Club at Fannie Bay.
With the new grandstand and the Silks Club adorning the trackside at yesterday’s Chief Minister’s Cup, Briney Cobb and Narita Simpson said it was exciting to get out and enjoy a social event.
“It feels good to be here, it’s a nice way to get out and be social considering what’s been going on,” Ms Simpson said.
The pair were planning to head to Silks for the rooftop party after the races ended, expecting it would be a “good night”.
MORE NT RACING NEWS
Business welcomes return of the racing season
Patrons return to Darwin Turf Club for first major event since COVID-19 restrictions eased in NT
Sneak peek inside almost-complete $12m Turf Club grandstand
More than 1000 people attended the race day and the local economy was expected to also benefit from those at the track.
Many were intending to head out on the town after the last horse was put back in its stable.
“It’s good for the businesses as well,” Ms Cobb said.
“There’s a lot of smaller businesses who have been doing it tough who will benefit.”
Dressed in an electric yellow and blue suit, Trevor Gargan was keeping an eye on the track.
“I’ve got my own horses running around,” he said.
“And it’s great to see how they’ll go.
“The new grandstand as well, but it is a shame we couldn’t get more people up for Cup Day.”
Darwin Turf Club chief executive Brad Morgan said punters had enjoyed free entry to the day.
“We had free entry as a reward, or something the Darwin Turf Club has done for the Darwin community,” he said.
“When things were tough the board made a decision to grant free entry to give relief to families and people who are struggling to give them a day out and come and watch the horse racing and have a good time.
“There is a financial loss I suppose; typically we’d get $20 general admission.
“When you look at numbers on the course which are in excess of 1000, that’s $20,000, but we think it’s something the turf club needs to do or wanted to do.”
LIMITED TIME: New NT News subscription offer: $1 a week for the first 12 weeks
Mr Morgan said corporate bookings had been hit by border restrictions, however the first two weeks of the carnival indicated it would still be a solid season.
CHIEF MINISTER MICHAEL GUNNER A NO-SHOW AT CHIEF MINISTER’S CUP
DESPITE fronting at Parap Markets to garner voters for the upcoming election, Chief Minister Michael Gunner continued to keep his distance from the Darwin Turf Club at Fannie Bay.
Darwin Turf Club chief executive Brad Morgan said he would have liked to see the Chief Minister present the namesake cup to winner Savatoxl and its team but wouldn’t let it get in the way of the day.
“I’d be lying if I said we weren’t disappointed he couldn’t make it,” he said.
“We understand during this period of time he’s got a lot on leading up to the election and the focus he needs to put elsewhere at the moment.
“We won’t let it affect a good day, and that’s what it’s turned out to be.”
The Chief Minister was also absent from the opening of Silks last month.
‘Didn’t have a pulse’: Pacino reveals Covid nearly killed him
The Godfather icon has revealed six paramedics and two doctors tried to keep him alive after his pulse stopped as he battled Covid.
Shock double family loss for Madonna
The Queen of Pop’s ‘talented’ younger brother has died of cancer, aged 63, just a month after the loss of another family member.