"We're getting calls from all over Australia with great support from business," Max says.

"As well as the outstanding sponsorship from Wesfarmers, the Merrill Lynch group has organised with us to fly-in 90 high profile clients who will be wined, dined and entertained in our marquee village."

The club is planning for a crowd of about 4,000 for the eight-race wine celebration day which carries prizemoney totalling $60,000.

"It's the only race day where the favourite could be the wine," says Mudgee wine growers' Lucie White.

"For the first time the race day will be showcasing our local food and world famous wine exclusively; it will really be a case of come to the Mudgee races and taste the region. And to make a weekend of it, we’re encouraging all visitors to "graze" at a special pre-race day wine and food tasting session at the racecourse on the Saturday evening before the races."

Over a dozen local food and wine producers will be exhibiting at the meeting with racegoer’s able browse through the stalls and taste the local product.

Meanwhile, Max points out that while the parents are having a great day, a special programme of events has been developed to keep their children entertained all day.

"We're going all out to make this a real family day," he says.

And there are more of these highly successful meetings to come; NSW Country Racing Council Chief Executive, Brian Judd, points out that the Wesfarmers Landmark Mudgee Wine Celebration Race Day is part of a concept of "theme meetings" the CRC is focusing on developing through its seed funding programme throughout the State during the next 12 months.

Media Release - NSW CRC