Lifestyle & Entertainment
8 November, 2026
Ararat Gold Cup to showcase club upgrades
The Ararat Turf Club is looking forward to welcoming the community to the Bet365 Ararat Gold Cup today, with racegoers set to enjoy a day of racing, entertainment and the opportunity to see the club's recently upgraded facilities.
The club has plenty to celebrate after being named Country Racing Victoria's Community Club of the Year in August, earning a $20,000 grant, which has been put towards improving its facilities.
Raceday coordinator Jill Richardson said the club had used the funding to purchase new furniture for several areas, including the bar, members' area and sponsors' section.
"The money has gone towards infrastructure and making things nicer, and the new furniture has just arrived," Richardson said.
"The bar furniture will be upstairs where we sell packages, and we have new bars, bar stools and tables for the members' area and sponsors.
"It was huge for the club to win the award. We were very excited as we have worked hard over the years to put on a good event, and the community supports it well.
"It was nice to be recognised, and we are looking forward to showing the community what we have done."
There will also be plenty happening away from the track, with entertainment and activities planned for racegoers of all ages.
While there will be no slide or jumping castle for children this year, a petting zoo travelling from Melbourne will provide plenty of entertainment.
The popular make-your-own hobby horse activity will also return, while Dave Nicholson will provide live entertainment throughout the day.
Richardson said interest in the event had been strong, with several packages already selling out.
"I am excited about our podium, and we have sold out of umbrellas already," she said.
"We're pumped for Sunday. It's going to be a good turnout."
Fashions on the Field will also feature increased prizes this year, with many categories catering to racegoers of all ages.
The categories include Lady of the Day, Local of the Day, Gent of the Day, Master Teen and Miss Teen (13 to 17 years), as well as Master Junior and Miss Junior (12 years and under).
While racegoers can look forward to Sunday's event, Richardson said preparations had been underway for six months, with plenty of work taking place behind the scenes.
"There's lots of administration preparing for this day, and we have a good committee and volunteers who work hard as they love the club," she said.
"The gardens are worked on all year, and the roses look amazing. It's a lot of work."
Recent rainfall has also provided favourable conditions for the track, with turf manager Jade Kennedy preparing for his seventh Ararat Gold Cup.
Kennedy said the rain had taken some of the pressure off preparations, providing the track with an ideal amount of moisture.
"It's actually a bit easier as we don't have to water the track, and the track benefits more from rain," he said.
"It's had the ideal amount of rain and it won't be a bad track."
Gates open at 11 am this morning with the first of eight races scheduled for 1.30pm.
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