The Canberra Racing Club was thrilled to announce the launch of the Canberra Community Chest earlier this year, an innovative race that will see 12 local charities and community groups racing with 12 equine heroes for their share of a $50,000 charity chest.
To be held on Saturday, November 25, the Canberra Community Chest will be run as a Quality Open Handicap over 1400m and is worth $250,000, with $200,000 prizemoney pool and $50,000 to be shared between the 12 charity and community partners with a meaningful connection to the Canberra region.
Adding to what will be a spectacular event, Gundagai Adelong Racing Club’s $100,000 Snake Gully Cup (1400m) will be an automatic qualifier for the event, with the winner ballot exempt.
Running on Friday, November 17, it means one lucky horse could be racing in two feature races within the space of eight days while also being eligible to contest the $3 million Big Dance in 2024.
According to Canberra Racing Club’s Marketing and Sponsorship Manager, Robbie Ringland, utilising the popularity of the Snake Gully Cup ahead of their inaugural Canberra Community Chest was a no-brainer.
“The Snake Gully Cup is one of country racing’s premier sprint handicaps,” Ringland said.
“When the Canberra Racing Club was looking to build a new spring feature, naturally, it makes sense to work in with what it is a time-honoured high-quality race.
“With the Community Chest being run over 1400m under quality conditions, this creates a very obvious pathway for horses at that level, and we are hoping, long term, that many will target the Snake Gully Cup and Community Chest double.”
There is already a strong relationship between the two clubs, and Gundagai products often find themselves settling in Canberra.
Currently, Committee person Ben McAlister, Trainer Todd Smart and Jockey Billy Owen all call the nation’s capital home.
On the track, Gundagai is a happy hunting ground for Canberrans, as is the Thoroughbred Park racecourse for those venturing from Gundagai and surrounds.
“The road to Gundagai is a well-worn path for Canberra racing folk,” Ringland said.
“We are hoping the additional interest in the Snake Gully Cup connecting it to the Community Chest will only grow the traffic between the two Clubs.
“The Snake Gully Cup is already on the radar of Canberra trainers. Canberra trainers have enjoyed success winning the last two Snake Gully Cups, and there’s plenty of local interest in trying to make it three in a row.
“Gundagai horseman David Blundell returned fire in early September by claiming the club’s new Polytrack Stayers Cup with Shafty. The success travels both ways on the highway.”
It won’t be a one-sided partnership, and Ringland believes the link between the Snake Gully Cup and Canberra Community Chest will only strengthen both races and the quality of racing at this time of year.
“The quality of horse that the Snake Gully Cup attracts is only rising. With Big Dance qualifying status and Canberra Community Chest exemption, it will only rise further,” Ringland said.
“There aren’t many features in the region around 1400m. The Snake Gully Cup and the Canberra Community Chest will combine a time-honoured Open Handicap with an exciting new community-focused feature to create a unique 1400m double opportunity.”
For more on the Canberra Community Chest, click here.
For more on the Snake Gully Cup, click here.
