With special guest and Adelaide Crows football legend Mark Ricciuto hosting “Roo’s Punters Club” and Australian racing icon John Letts keeping him honest over the microphone, race day patrons have plenty to look forward to.

Regardless of which AFL team you support, “the Roo” has become part of South Australian football folklore as a legendary past player for the Crows, including captaining the club, winning a Brownlow Medal, three Crows best and fairest awards and being named captain of the all-Australian football team.

“Roo” also seems to be developing a passion for the Eyre Peninsula, with his past team mate Simon Goodwin working with the Hurley Group to manage the refurbished Port Lincoln Hotel.

“Roo” most definitely has developed a passion for the racing industry, and the West Coast Sentinel understands he is looking forward to coming to Ceduna to “try his luck” on behalf of the local punters.

For those that are not sure, a punters club is where you purchase a ticket in the club at the races, and “Roo” and his willing helpers will invest it on your behalf.

As well as this, feature race for the day is the Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Ceduna Cup, which this year is worth $8000, the highest prize money ever paid for a Ceduna race.

The other unusual feature race for the day will be the inaugural Port Lincoln Hotel Hobby Horse Cup, where syndicates will have the opportunity to bid for their choice of wooden equine and then provide a jockey for their thoroughbred, with the winning syndicate being presented the cup by Mark Ricciuto.

This year will also see plenty for the kids, with face painting, bouncy castle and free raffles for discarded betting tickets. The adults will also be well looked after with the Emjay Shoes Ladies and Geoff Betts Menswear Fashion Parades.

Ceduna Racing Club marquee coordinator Samantha Wilkins is once again delighted with marquee bookings with the day being booked out for marquees.

“The marquee bookings have been fantastic for the cup races, and I think so many people are looking forward to meeting Roo,” she said.

The club is also trailing a “members marquee” this year, where Ceduna Racing Club members will receive discounted refreshments, according to race club vice president Andrew Wilkins.

“We have put so much effort into making the Ceduna Cup bigger and better this year, and the members marquee is just one part of that,” he said.

Gates open at 11.30am and the first race will start at 1pm.

TAB and bookmaking facilities are available.