Off and racing
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The three-day May Racing Carnival kicks off at the Warrnambool Racecourse on Tuesday and runs until Thursday. Gates open daily at 9.30am.
Star of the West Hotel, Port Fairy
The Star will again be running return buses from Port Fairy to the May Races across the three days of the carnival. Buses depart Port Fairy an hour before the first race and return to Port Fairy, leaving the Warrnambool Racecourse half an hour after the last race. For more information contact the hotel on 5568 1715.
May Racing Carnival City Loop bus service
Buses from the city to the Warrnambool Racecourse run all three days of the carnival and depart on the half hour from 9.45am to 12.45pm from the Lava Street interchange (south side).
Stops include outside the Warrnambool Hotel in Kepler Street, the Western Hotel in Timor Street, the former Royal Hotel in Fairy Street, the Cally Hotel in Fairy Street, Mac's Hotel on the corner of Fairy Street and Raglan Pde, the Downtown Motel in Raglan Pde, Swan Reserve opposite the Central Court Motel and the Anchor Belle Motel in Darling Street.
Services arrive at the racecourse approximately 17 minutes after departure from Lava Street. Note: No buses will run from the Koroit/ Liebig Street bus stop. Travel is by gold coin donation with proceeds donated to the Warrnambool and District Community Hospice.
On Wednesday return buses to the city will depart the racecourse between 4.30pm and 6pm and drop patrons outside Wannon Park on request for the greyhound meeting that evening. Thursday's service from the racecourse into the city runs from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. For more information contact Transit South West on 5562 4555.
Calcutta Cup Eve
Warrnambool's Raffertys Tavern will host its annual Calcutta Cup Eve event on Wednesday at 7pm. Master of ceremonies is Queensland racing identity Russell Leonard with special guests Sam Kekovich and Peter Moody. There is a three-course meal including entertainment, $50 per head, $400 per table horse share and a memorabilia auction with proceeds to go to Julian Purcell. To book call 5561 1888 limited places available. Courtesy bus available. Bookings essential. There's a mega punters club running throughout the race carnival.
The Cally
The hotel has a special $15 punters' breakfast throughout the carnival until Friday, available from 7.30am. There will be free buses to the racecourse in the morning and returning to the pub after the races. The hotel's May Races marquee in the hotel carpark has a food truck and the hotel's normal menu is also on offer to cater for the after-races rush of people keen to continue their day's celebrations.
The Cally has live music during the carnival. Musicians include Tuesday - Ben Cross from 6pm and The Stand-Ins from 10pm, Wednesday - Ben Cross from 6pm and Mick Ferguson Band from 9pm and on Thursday - Evareign from 7.30pm.
The hotel is also home to a Jericho Cup display which can be viewed during the carnival. It includes the $40,000 original collection of two solid bronze statuettes and seven paintings commissioned for last year's inaugural staging of the race meeting. The Jericho Cup honoured the Light Horsemen of the Anzacs in World War 1.
The Cally patrons can access free parking at the former Callaghan Motors site (opposite the hotel) while the temporary May Races marquee is up in the hotel car park. Access from 7am to 11pm.
The Whalers Hotel
In the heart of town is the Whalers Hotel which will again have footage of the popular racing carnival projected onto the side of the building from Sunday. The hotel will have live music each night of the carnival. These include: Tuesday - Jase Trotman from 6pm to 9pm and Alfa Tides from 9.30pm, Wednesday - Jackson Green and Mitch Crute from 6pm to 9pm and Alfa Tides from 9.30pm, Thursday - Travis McCarthy from 6pm to 9pm and Jase and Kristy Trotman from 9.30pm.
Warrnambool Bowls Club
The Warrnambool Bowls Club also has live music each night of the carnival from 6pm. On Tuesday Loose Cannons will play, on Wednesday band Willnko will entertain patrons, and on Thursday Jason Bull will play live.
Greyhounds
The Warrnambool Greyhound Racing Club will host the Warrnambool Cup group two feature race on Wednesday evening, which is a highlight on the provincial greyhound racing calendar. There will be buses from the Warrnambool Racecourse after the last horse race to ferry patrons to the greyhounds. Entry $5 adults, $3 concession, U16 free. Koroit Street, Gates open at 5pm, with racing from 6pm at Wannon Park, Koroit Street.
Young Professionals May Races breakfast
Young Professionals Warrnambool will host a May Races champagne breakfast on the final day of the carnival at the Flying Horse Bar and Brewery. The breakfast, which starts at 9.30am and includes a bus to the races, is $30. To book go to the Young Professionals Warrnambool Facebook page.
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