Sport
16 October, 2026
Whyte, Just and Moore Lawyers Avoca Cup set to provide country fun tomorrow
The enchanting sounds of galloping horses, cheering crowds and captivating calls returns to the Avoca Shire Turf Club tomorrow for the prestigious Whyte, Just and Moore Lawyers Avoca Cup.
From when the gates open at 11 am, the Avoca Racecourse will be a bustling assortment of exciting country entertainment, headlined by the feature race scheduled for 4.37 pm.
Eleven horses will race over 1860 meters to etch their names into Avoca Cup immortality, with $40,000 in prize money also up for grabs.
“The club is ready for its premier event to frolic into action. We are thrilled to invite members, sponsors, patrons and the community back to Avoca for the town’s biggest race meet,” Avoca Shire Turf Club president Wayne Lawes said.
“It’s always a fantastic opportunity to showcase our club and everything the Pyrenees region has to offer.
“I would also like to thank and acknowledge club manager, Lisa Evans, track manager Anthony ‘Yogi’ Brennan and our fantastic volunteer committee for all their hard work in relation to preparing for the big day.”
Alongside a new primary sponsor in Whyte, Just and Moore Lawyers, the club has also undertaken some major track renovations ahead of the cup from the winning post to the crossover area.
Club manager Evans said the recent works provide a major upgrade to the track’s surface.
“The club’s identified for a number of years that part of the track needed a little bit of work, so we’ve worked with Racing Victoria to get the funding for the project,” she said.
“Most of all, it provides that safety element for the jockeys and the horses and it ensures that racing can stay at the race track as well.”
Outside of Saturday’s packed seven-race schedule, punters, newcomers and social butterflies alike can also engage in a plethora of off-field activities.
The ever-popular Fashions on the Field expects to dazzle the trackside area once again, while Evans is also excited for patrons to enjoy the new ISLA Vodka Bar and revamped kids’ activities.
“Last year’s Fashions on the Field program really showed next-level fashion. It’s always lovely to see all the women dressed up and the men too coming along and showcasing what they’ve got,” she said.
“We’ve got a huge animal farm coming along this year and some mini golf for the kids.
“We’ve got Jeff Tynon coming on the lawn to belt out a few tunes and get everyone up and dancing.”
Whether you are an avid racing supporter or have never been trackside, Evans said the thrills of the Avoca Cup provide a unique country experience everyone can enjoy.
“It’s a real chance to bring people across the local region to our races,” she said.
“When you are a part of a small country town, bringing those neighbouring towns to the race club is really important.
“You don’t have to love the horse racing to come. Some people come for the fashion, some people come for the nice wine and others just come for a good day out with their friends.
“It’s a relatively inexpensive day to just come in and see what the regions got.”
Tickets are available online or at the gate on race day. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for concessions, while children aged 17 and under can enjoy free admission when accompanied by an adult.
Shuttle buses are also available from select locations.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.country.racing.com/avoca/calendar/avoca-cup.