Stunning autumn weather is tipped for the final Ascot raceday of the season
With stunning autumn weather tipped for this weekend, Perth Racing’s last day of the Ascot season promises something for everyone – traditional Italian food, drinks and family entertainment – as well as great racing as locals compete for the prized Roma Cup.
Horse racing’s Gangemi family are dreaming of a uno-due-tre result in Saturday’s 53rd edition of the race, the highlight of the D’Orsogna Italian Raceday at Ascot and the chance to reprise last year’s emotional win with Gangemi’s stable star, Rock Magic.
Chris Gangemi trained the first (Rock Magic) and third (Durendal) horses across the line in the 2017 D’Orsogna-Roma Cup and, following the astute acquisition of last season’s fifth-place finisher, 2016 victor Battle Hero, his family’s famous white, red and green colours could fill this term’s trifecta.
Featuring the traditional Italian village, including D’Orsogna tastings and homemade lasagne and sweet treats from local group Comunita Di Delianuova, Ascot will also host a surprise performance from interstate crooner Tony Pantano.
Pantano, described as a combination of Tom Jones, Mario Lanzo, Elvis Presley and Luciano Pavarotti, will be on course early to entertain patrons and kick off Italian Day with style.
“There’s a great tradition for the Roma Cup and in recent years, a growing fondness for Italian Day with patrons, particularly as we are now hosting it on the last day of our season at Ascot,” said Mr John Yovich, Managing Director of Perth Racing.
“We’ve seen audiences really enjoy the way we bring communities together combining cultural activities with a full day of great racing, set in the stunning environment here at Ascot.”
While we’re very much looking forward to winter racing at Belmont, it’s great to be sending off a successful Ascot season with a colourful, fun and lively D’Orsogna Italian Raceday.”
The D’Orsogna Italian Raceday marks the end of the Ascot Racecourse season with Belmont Park in operation from Saturday 26 May until the middle of October. There will be eight races on Saturday with the first race at 12:14pm, the last race at 4:50pm and the Group 3 D’Orsogna Family-Roma Cup at 4:10pm.