LEETON Jockey Club will play host to one of the premier days on the Leeton social calendar this weekend.
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Leeton Cup Race Day on May 11 attracts hundreds of people to the jockey club track in Racecourse Road for a day of racing and fun.
Patrons will be dressed to the nines, one of the rare opportunities to go all out in the fashion stakes.
Leeton Jockey Club president Grant Fitzsimon encouraged everyone to take part.
"If you don't come you're going to miss on Leeton's social day out," he said.
"There's the horses, but there's a lot more entertainment during the day, like fashions on the field and music and entertainment after the last race. It's a big day on the calendar."
Mr Fitzsimon encouraged people to "enjoy the day, but behave".
"It's going to be cool, but that's Leeton races," he said.
"There's supposed to be a few showers on Wednesday and Thursday, but that won't cause any track issues. Saturday will be about 16 degrees."
Six races
The meeting will feature a professional six-race program. Prize money is up this year with each race worth $8000 and the Leeton Cup jumping to $10,000.
"The Leeton Jockey Club has received a boost in prize money," Mr Fitzsimon said. "There is good prizemoney with Racing NSW increasing prize money earlier this year."
Stewards will undertake their inspections this week, but the track - and grounds - are in great condition.
"We have had some good rain, but the track was pretty good prior to that," Mr Fitzsimon said.
"It's got to be really. It needs to be kept up to a standard for if we get the call for a TAB meeting, which is what happened in October."
After spending about $30,000 on improvements prior to last year's race day, the club has not had to invest quite as much this year.
"We've splashed a bit of paint around, the toilet blocks have been tidied up," Mr Fitzsimon said. "There's also a new finishing post."
Out of the gates
The cystic fibrosis Great Escape Rally entrants will again man the gate this year - "They've been doing it for quite a few years now" - with the Yanco Amateur Swimming Club running the canteen.
Gates open at 11.30am on Saturday and entry is $15 and $5 for pensioners.
There is no BYO. Patrons may bring their own chairs and a picnic, but no alcohol is allowed through the gate and it will be policed by security.
Those aged between 18 and 25 will receive with wristbands when they pass through the gate as proof-of-age identification.
TAB and on-course bookmakers will be in attendance.
Fashions on the field will take place just after 2pm with entrants asked to assemble adjacent the finishing post
Start early, end late
Race celebrations will kick off on Friday night with the Calcutta to be held at Yanco All-Servicemen's Club from 7pm.
The next morning the club will host a champagne brunch with those attending then able to use the club courtesy bus to get to the racecourse.
There will be live entertainment at the racecourse provided by Mooney from 4pm.
While there is no longer an official after party, racegoers can extend their day out into the evening at the Wade Hotel from 6pm, where Revelry will be providing live entertainment into the night.
The YASC courtesy bus will also be available to take patrons from the race track to the club, where Mark Smith provide musical entertainment.