Perth Racecourse ready for Showcase meeting

Jul 1 2008 by Alison Anderson

Perth on track for double delights

PERTH Racecourse has been lovingly manicured for an inaugural flagship two-day meeting tomorrow and Thursday afternoons which features 14 exciting races under National Hunt rules and a showcase for some of the best produce Perthshire has to offer.

The new Perthshire Showcase meeting was to have made its debut last year but monsoon conditions left racecourse management with no option but to abandon both days.

Such a scenario is virtually certain not to be repeated, with tomorrow afternoon forecast as mostly cloudy but dry and Thursday as sunny intervals and scattered showers. The official going is currently ‘good to firm’ with the course being watered as necessary.

As usual, trainers from both sides of the Irish Sea have responded to Perth Racecourse promise of excellent jumping ground, and huge entries have been received for most of the races over the two days.

Reigning champion Scottish trainer Peter Monteith leads the home-grown charge of runners, and locally-based yards are also well represented. Of the Irish raiders, Tony Martin has entered a lorry load of horses in the hope of scooping some of the excellent prize money on offer.

Tomorrow’s action has been augmented with the award by the Levy Board of an additional race, a three-mile steeplechase. Perth’s gain is the result of a lost meeting at an English course earlier this season.Coming at the end of the originally scheduled card, the Horserace Betting Levy Board Handicap Chase, off at 5.20pm, will give punters extra incentive to savour the whole afternoon of racing.

“It looks like we’ll have some really good racing,” said Perth racecourse general manager Sam Morshead. “The racecourse is looking fantastic and although some rain is forecast over the next two days hopefully it will come overnight.

Turning his attention to the Perthshire Showcase, Sam commented: “There’s been a good uptake by local businesses and there’ll be about 16 different stalls sited at two locations on the racecourse, offering racegoers lots of shopping for local fayre and the opportunity to see the best produce Perthshire has to offer.

“From locally made food and drink to jewellery and art, it will be a great opportunity to support and discover local talent.”

The Perthshire Showcase meeting is being run in conjunction with Perth and Kinross Council’s economic development department, and in attendance will be key figures from VisitScotland business tourism unit and members from Perth and Aberdeen Chambers of Commerce.

The Council’s Enterprise and Infrastructure Convener John Kellas, said: “This will be a great day out in a beautiful setting, and it will also give local producers and artists a fantastic opportunity to get their products to the public.

“Visitors will be able to sample the excellent produce of Perth and Kinross and also enjoy a day at the races.”

Gates to Perth Racecourse, set in the parkland of Scone Palace, open at noon each day, with the first races off at 2.20pm.