Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) will go into future Gold Cup carnivals with extreme confidence in its track after a brilliant display at this year's feature event.
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The way the track held up and the facilities catered for the wet conditions were the highlight of new chief executive Steve Keene's first Wagga Gold Cup carnival in charge.
The crowds were slightly bigger but turnover was only 'fair' after wet weather threatened to ruin Wagga Gold Cup day like it had at Albury only six weeks beforehand.
But led by top track manager Mark Hart, the Wagga course handled the 30 millimetres of rain that fell on Friday morning and raced superbly on the club's biggest day of the year.
"I think the highlight was the way the facility presented itself with the 30 millimetres of rain that fell," Keene said.
"It was a huge effort from the racing industry right through to Mark (Hart) and the boys. I think that was the real standout.
"There was a lot of talk surrounding whether we were going to race but then to race half a day on a soft seven after 30 millimetres of rain, that was the real highlight."
Around 2400 people turned out for Wagga Town Plate day, followed by another 7500 to 7700 on Cup day as MTC hit 10,000 for the two days.
But turnover was only fair with 53 scratchings on Cup day taking its toll.
"A lot of scratchings knocked us around a little bit," Keene said.
"A lot of trainers weren't happy they scratched once they saw how well the track held up."
Keene said Blaike McDougall's win in the inaugural Tye Angland Medal was another highlight of the carnival.
"Blaike McDougall winning the first William Farrer Hotel Tye Angland Medal was another highlight. Having the city jockeys ride here, Blaike really stepped up and rode really well on Thursday to set it up," Keene said.
"To donate the $1000 back to Tye speaks volumes about his character as well. It was fantastic."
After being involved in his first Gold Cup, Keene believes there a couple of minor adjustments he will look to introduce to only enhance the carnival further.
"There is little changes and little improvements that I think we can do but the carnival is already well attended and runs really well," he said.
"Wholesale changes aren't needed but you're always looking to improve and we'll take the feedback on board and make some improvements for next year."
Meantime, MTC will hold a public meeting on Wednesday night in relation to its new multi million dollar stable development.
The meeting is open to all and will be held at the MTC Member's Lounge from 6pm to 7pm.
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