While the nation stops for the big race, there will also be plenty of action locally with the Shoalhaven City Turf Club staging a now traditional Melbourne Cup meeting.

Five races are planned and there will be plenty to keep punters entertained.

There will be live entertainment in the dining room and on the concourse and a big screen on course will ensure none of the racing action is missed.

For the punters there will be bookmakers and TAB facilities and a well stocked bar.

Turf club CEO Lynn Locke said tomorrow’s meeting was shaping up to be a huge event, in fact the biggest the club has ever hosted.

“Our Melbourne Cup meeting has turned into one of the social racing events of the year,” she said.

“Everyone seems to get into the Melbourne Cup spirit, they dress up in their finest and have a great day at the races, just like the race goers at Flemington.”

There will be a Fashions on the Field, with Stockland Nowra backing the event to the tune of $5000 in prizes in four categories, while McDonald’s Shoalhaven has come on board to officially sponsor the day and money raised will go to Ronald McDonald House charity within the Shoalhaven.

Gates will open at 11am and it is envisaged the first race will be around 1pm with activities set to go right through the afternoon.

* Field and form for tomorrow’s meeting appears on pages 38 and 39.