IT is that time of year, with thousands of racegoers set to descend on the grounds below the Grampians for Dunkeld Cup festivities amid near-perfect conditions today.

With forecast temperatures in the 30s, it is set to be a bumper year, with Dunkeld Racing Club president, Edward Blackwell, confident of another big race day for the 2024 edition.

“I feel like it is coming together really well,” he said.

“We have had a perfect lead-up, even though it’s been a drier season, it has been really good for track preparation and the surrounds.”

With last year’s event capped at 10,000 patrons, the 2024 event will be the first uncapped race day since 2019, with the club using last year and this year to re-assess expectations of the event going forward.

“Ticket sales are tracking well, we are happy with where they are,” Blackwell said.

“It is hard to do a comparison, last year was our first year back for a few years after a couple with COVID and 2022 a cancelled event (due to flooding).”

With an eight-race program scheduled, Blackwell is looking at having a Good4 for the day.

“We have had the irrigation on for a couple of weeks now,” he said.

“It has been a bit of a labour of love by the committee, hats of by them to get it off the ground.

“(Having strong fields) comes back to setting up the best track we can and having the most consistent track we can have as well.”

With warm weather forecast, trackside activities will also offer some respite for kids.

“There will be a bit more water-based activities for the kids, and we have live music in a couple of areas, so we are really looking forward to it,” Blackwell said.

There will be the usual off-track awards as well, with some new categories in the fashion stakes.

“Fashions on the Field is always a big drawcard at Dunkeld, there is a new category this year which is more of a casual racegoer category,” Blackwell said.

The usual Best Dressed category replaces the Lady of the Day, along with Best Suited, which replaces the Gent of the Day.

The Country Racing Best Dressed and Best Suited categories will be awarded to the racegoer who shows the practical elegance and understated style that embodies the essence of the Dunkeld Races trackside party, while a Millinery Award will complete the categories.

Registrations will open at 12.30pm and close at 2pm, with judging running from 2.30-3.15pm.

Blackwell said he hoped the warmer weather would draw a few more people through the gate.

“Chuck on the heels, don’t forget your hat and water – we are preparing for the hot weather and we just want to see everyone get here, have a great day then get home safely,” he said.

“The ones at home thinking maybe, it probably sways you a bit more when the weather is good.

“General admission tickets will be available at the gate.

“Shuttle buses will be coming out of Hamilton, they will be running as required.”

The first race is scheduled for 1.06pm, with the cup locked in for 4.11pm and the final race to run at 5.24pm.

Full fields and race previews on Page 30.