The inaugural Can Assist Race Day built by Steel Supplies is set to bring the Murrumbidgee Turf Club alive on Saturday. Photos: Supplied.
With clear skies predicted and people aplenty expected to converge on Wagga Wagga’s Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC), the Can Assist Race Day built by Steel Supplies has set its sights on one goal: raising money for regional cancer support.
With seven races providing the on-course action, a Golden Guitar Award winner entertaining throughout the day, some of the best food in town on offer and one of the region’s best venues setting the scene, Lilier Lodge general manager and Can Assist representative Richard Moffatt believes the MTC is the place to be this Saturday (18 October).
“The race day was formerly known as Kurrajong Race Day, and it ran for about 30 years,” Mr Moffatt said.
“It unfortunately ceased in 2022. At the start of the year, MTC approached us looking for another charity to jump on board for the long term.
“Being a local charity that looks after regional cancer patients, we’ve grabbed it by the horns. This is our first attempt at giving it a crack, but we’re hoping to get around 3000 people in attendance at the event this Saturday.
“Gates open at 12 o’clock. It’s going to be a family-friendly day, in line with what our charity does.
“We’ve got seven local races. There are three major races also being shown around the ground, being the Everest, the Kosciusko and the Caulfield Cup. We’ve got a very large children’s entertainment and gaming area. We’ve got fashions on the field, lots of food and lots of live, local music options as well.”
All money raised will benefit local resources or facilities involving Can Assist or Lilier Lodge.
Mr Moffatt highlighted the importance of days such as the Can Assist Race Day built by Steel Supplies, which support not only the charity but also the people it serves.
“Having cancer in the regions is an expensive and exhaustive exercise,” he said.
“If you’re fortunate enough to live in a place like Sydney or Melbourne, getting quality of care and access to your treatments is quite easy. But as we know, in the regions, when you’ve got cancer, you’ve got large distances to travel.
“What we do here at Can Assist is look after the practical side of the cost of having cancer. This is where the partnership with Lilier Lodge comes in.”
Lilier Lodge is a Wagga facility for cancer patients to use when travelling for treatment, and has worked in partnership with Can Assist in providing accommodation for the patients.
“We’ve got people from Hay, Hilston and Tumbarumba who use the lodge and stay here for up to six weeks for treatment,” Mr Moffatt said.
“While we provide them with basically free accommodation, we can also provide support with their petrol, their travel costs, and if they have to go to Sydney or Melbourne for even bigger cancer treatments, we cover those costs as well.
“So it’s just really about making sure that regional people have the same access to treatment as city people have.”
Mr Moffatt said he was looking forward to seeing the many volunteers and supporters enjoy a day at the track while also helping a good cause. He does, however, warn against taking his advice when trying to tip a winner.
“My advice is not to listen to me when it comes to horse racing. I’m an absolute shocker,” he joked.
“We’re meant to be looking at 25 degrees and perfect sunshine.
“It’s a great day to come down and have a beer and a sausage sizzle. And if you’re into it, have a bit of a punt. And all in the name of a local charity and cancer patients.”
