The two-day festival will feature world-class horse racing, superb food, Chinese entertainment and stunning fashion at Australia's first Asian-focused racing carnival, embracing increasing interest and investment in horse racing from the Chinese community.
The Star Chinese Festival of Racing coincides with a new Chinese Lunar Year offering the opportunity for families and friends to join in celebrating their heritage amidst the Australian way of life at the racetrack.
On track on 4 February, the opening day of The Star Chinese Festival of Racing will feature Group and Listed racing, where some of the best horses in Australia start their preparations ahead of the prestigious Sydney Carnival later in the Autumn.
It will be followed the next Saturday on 11 February with the running of The Star Apollo Stakes and the anticipated return of Australia's best racehorse Winx, chasing a remarkable 14th consecutive victory.
The Star Chinese Festival of Racing celebrates the deep traditions of horse racing in China and recognises the growing business, family and social links between Australia and China.
Australian Turf Club Chief Operating Officer Tony Partridge said The Star Chinese Festival of Racing aimed to introduce new customers to the live thrill of horse racing at one of Australia's greatest sport and entertainment venues.
“Sydney is home to some of the strongest racing in the world, matched by our premium spectator facilities and superb hospitality at Royal Randwick,'' Mr Partridge said.
“We have joined with our ATC Foundation partner The Star in welcoming our local and overseas Chinese friends to experience the fun and excitement of horse racing.
“Australia and China have both enjoyed horse racing live as a sport from their earliest histories, from the early 1800s here and dating back some thousands of years in China.
“We want to bring these traditions together at Royal Randwick as more families of Chinese heritage call Sydney and Australia home.
“The ATC has for some time now been offering formguides translated in Chinese, and The Star Chinese Festival of Racing will allow even more people to enjoy and learn about this great sport.
“With the start of a new Chinese Lunar Year, the Australian Turf Club looks forward to welcoming families and people of all ages from all sections of the local Chinese community.''
The Australian Turf Club has partnered with TVB Australia and Red Elephant to offer a range of family activities on the day, including Chinese entertainment, sports clinics, a karaoke competition, guided tours and a fashion show featuring the finalists of the TVB Miss Australia Chinese pageant.
The ATC's Foundation Partner TAB is also a fully integrated partner with The Star Chinese Festival of Racing, and will offer wagering services in Chinese and provide bi-lingual staff.
It will sponsor the running of the Group 2 $200,000 TAB Light Fingers Stakes on 11 February.
Chi-X and the Australia Chinese Jockey Club are also partners in the festival.
Greg Hawkins, Managing Director, The Star said: “We are delighted to be working with the ATC to grow The Star Chinese Festival of Racing into a truly world-class event that will form a key component of the Sydney racing calendar. Now in its second year, this innovative event will combine one of Australia's favorite pastimes, with a backdrop of rich Chinese culture.
“The Star will also be delivering a program of racing and off-track cultural entertainment and hospitality experiences that will attract and thrill a broad range of customers including locally-based and international Chinese visitors.”
Royal Randwick is situated just minutes from Sydney's CBD and offers unlimited free parking inside the racecourse from the High Street entrance.
Free buses run to and from Central Station direct to the gates at the course in Alison Rd.
For all ticketing, hospitality and general information go to www.theatc.com.au
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