Canberra Racing Club will launch of the Thoroughbred Club of Australia – Canberra Branch at a pre Black Opal Stakes luncheon on Thursday, March 5.

The highlight of the luncheon will be Queen of Australian turf Gai Waterhouse, who will be interviewed by luncheon host Sky Racings media personality Andrew Bensley.

The luncheon will also provide guests the opportunity to sample a selection of Penfold’s wine with each course. Penfold’s are a brand under the Treasury Wine Estates range, which also includes the Black Opal Stakes naming rights partner Seppelt. Tickets to the luncheon are $120 per person.

With the upgrade to Group 3 status, the Canberra Racing Club expects an even stronger line-up for this years’ Seppelt Black Opal Stakes on Sunday 8 March.

For the first time Canberra’s premier race event is two weeks prior to the Golden Slipper Stakes making the Seppelt Black Opal Stakes the ideal lead up race for Austalia’s richest 2yo race worth $3.5 million.