Major country racing trophy visits Tea Gardens Hotel

A RACING celebrity has visited the Tea Gardens Hotel with Dave Stanley from Sky’s Racing HQ showing off the Kosciusko Cup on Thursday 14 August.

Patrons viewed the shiny, silver, K-shaped trophy, some learning via white-gloved hands that it is as heavy as it looks.

The trophy was the centrepiece of a promotion for the Kosciusko Cup race, which is to be held at Royal Randwick Racecourse in October.

From the room full of regulars, Dave Stanley and the Racing HQ crew also crossed live into a program broadcast across the country.

“This is the first time we have visited Tea Gardens,” Stanley told News Of The Area.

“A Cup stakes winner from last year was based out this way, which is why this is the only location in the Hunter region we are visiting this year.

“Regional venues, like the Tea Gardens Hotel, are important focal points for their communities, and we are happy to be here.

“The Kosciusko Cup is the world’s richest race for country-trained horses, and it could be a life-changing experience for someone here tonight.”

The Cup boasts a total prize pool of $2 million and is restricted to country-trained horses.

Ahead of this year’s race, the trophy will visit the regional centres from which previous winners hailed.

Stanley also set up inside the pub the following day to broadcast Racing HQ live.

He invited Tea Gardens local Steve Pietsch to join him, supported by his family.

A long-time listener, Steve met Dave the night before and discussed the show, all-time favourite horses, memories of going to the races, the culture of an earlier era, and also what’s in his pool room.

The Racing HQ show was of special significance to Steve because it helped him get through the COVID period, when many regular daily activities were severely restricted, so he was able to thank Dave personally.

By Thomas O’KEEFE