Perth Festival ready for the off

Apr 20 2010 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE tapes go up tomorrow afternoon on Perth’s three-day Festival meeting – the first fixture of what is set to be a glittering season of National Hunt racing and entertainment at Britain’s most northerly racecourse.

Set in the beautiful parkland of Scone Palace, the venue was last year voted the Best Small Racecourse in Scotland and the North East of England by the Racecourse Club.

The 2010 race fixtures at Perth Racecourse include two Sunday meetings – the City of Perth Gold Cup Day on May 23 and Family Race Day on July 11 – and for the first time in many years racing will take place on a Saturday for a special Perth 800 Race Day on August 21.

The season opens tomorrow shortly after 2pm with the StanJames.com Perth Festival attracting large fields for the 19 races over the three days.

Many of the top trainers from the south and Ireland will be bringing horses to Perth.

Among the southern raiders is Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Nigel Twiston-Davies, and there is also strong support from local yards, including leading Scottish trainer, Milnathort-based Lucinda Russell.

Perth Racecourse manager Sam Morshead said he was looking forward to the season opener, where the going is expected to be good to soft.

“This late spring has not been easy and getting the course ready has been a challenge, but it’s now looking good for the meeting and it promises to be a special three days.

“We’re delighted that some big names in jump racing are coming to Perth, giving racegoers great opportunities to see quality National Hunt horses.

“It will be a great opener to the exciting 2010 season which includes the Perth 800 day.

“This will be on a medieval theme and include pre-racing Perth 800 jousting tournament.”

This season Perth Racecourse is also having three post-racing music nights – Rock at the Races featuring local bands on May 12, a Queen tribute band for Perth Party Night on July 27 and a Bon Jovi tribute at the end of the Perth 800 Race Day on August 21.

Gates open at noon for all three StanJames.com Perth Festival days this week.

With the weather set fair, large crowds are expected and racegoers are advised to allow plenty of time to travel to Perth Racecourse.