WAGGA businesses cleaned up across the board in one of the year’s biggest days of trading.
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Victoria Hotel publican Harry Vearing expected the venue to be full from 7pm to 3am on Friday night and said the night’s trading would only be eclipsed by New Year’s Eve.
“There was a great crowd at this year’s race, which means everyone will be busy tonight,” Mr Vearing said.
“Five years ago it was the biggest event, but more recently New Year’s Eve has become bigger, but it will be interesting to see the impact of a record attendance at the races.
“We’ll be busy, but we have the advantage of being the latest venue in Wagga and we can hold a big number.
“It’s always a well behaved crowd, everyone’s in good spirits and the Murrumbidgee Turf Club have done a lot of hard work nullifying any rowdy punters.”
Wagga Business Chamber vice president and RSL Club general manager Andrew Bell said the city’s retailers did a roaring trade in the weeks leading up to the blue ribbon event.
“Accommodation houses, restaurants, anyone in hospitality, the dress shops, the millinery, they all have a good time leading up to Gold Cup,” Mr Bell said.
“Gold Cup day is always good for the RSL because we're the closest venue to the racecourse and we’re on the pathway to the city.
“Henty (Machinery) Field Days is another big event that boosts local business, but people only stay in Wagga to eat and sleep, whereas the Gold Cup has a more sustained effect with locals shopping weeks in advance.
“The Gold Cup is the biggest two days for the local economy, it is a big hit for businesses.”
Nicole Skerry from Mantra Pavillion Hotel had already taken booking from guests in town for the Wagga Town Plate who will be back next year.
“We’ve been really full all week with guests from Orange, Sydney and Melbourne,” she said.
“Being close to the racecourse does us a lot of favours.”