The club will open the gates to host the Eden Cup this Sunday and promises to be an action-packed meet. 

Club secretary/man-ager Rob Tweedie said the track is in fantastic condition and will make for fabulous form in the seven-race TAB meet.

“The track looks phenomenal and we have received a massive 138 nominations, which should ensure good field sizes for all of Sunday’s races,” Tweedie said. 

Tweedie said that while the Eden Fishermen’s Club Eden Cup is the feature race, there is another race in particular that is sure to attract the keen interest of everyone.

“All eyes will be on the Trusting at Turangga Farm 900 metre as the winning owners of the event will win a free service fee to impressive stallion ‘Trusting’ worth $11,000 for use in the 2015 breeding season,” he explained.

“This is a sensational opportunity for owners and we are grateful to Turangga Farm for donating this very generous prize. 

“A winner of three Group 2 races himself, Trusting is by Champion Sire Tale of the Cat out of Legible and he has the mighty stallion Zabeel as his Dam sire and the breed shaping Storm Cat as his Grandsire.”

Tweedie said Trusting was the complete package of athleticism, performance and pedigree. 

There will be a full afternoon of racing to enjoy, but Tweedie said another highlight would be the presentations of the four 2014-15 premiership trophies. 

The prestigious awards will be presented to the club’s top horse, jockey, apprentice jockey and the trainer of the year award. 

“The Peter Wiggins trained Basilus is a very worthy winner of the Glen Mia Horse of the Year award,” Tweedie said. 

“Having had two firsts and a second from three starts last season, Basilus clearly loved racing at Sapphire.”

After clinching the crown from the final race last year, Canberra rider Brendan Ward is back as jockey of the year. 

“Brendan takes out the trophy yet again with his eight wins from 38 starts at Sapphire,” Tweedie said. 

“This is particularly impressive given he missed a few months at the start of the season through injury.”

Mother and son trainers Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones out of Canberra will pick up the trainer of the year award. 

Tweedie said the pair enjoyed ongoing success at race meets around the country. 

“They won four races at Sapphire last season and it’s particularly good to see the Josephs win our premiership as they’ve supported the Sapphire Coast Turf Club for many years.”

As a further bonus to the Joseph Jones Stables, their apprentice Carly Frater has been named as the apprentice jockey of the year. 

“It is great to see Carly win apprentice of the year, as her first-ever win was at Sapphire last season, so she is a very deserving winner,” he stated.

Tweedie is eager to congratulate all the winners and thanked the ongoing support of jockeys and trainers who race at the club. 

“We look forward to acknowledging the outstanding performances of the premiership winners with presentations at the Eden Cup this Sunday, while also celebrating the start of the new season.

“There will be a free jumping castle for the kids as well as sumo suit wrestling, so it’s certain to be a great day out for the whole family.”

Following the Eden Cup, it’s a few months until the next meet at Sapphire on Melbourne Cup Day.

Free buses will be running to and from the track on the day. 

Visit www.sapphire coastturfclub.com.au for details.