Seven races will greet visitors to the first day of the local calendar, this Thursday, November 1.

The race meet has received 85 nominations, with fields to be confirmed by 11am Tuesday.

It’s expected the local training stable of Barbara Joseph, Paul Jones and Matt Jones will be strongly represented and looking to get their run at trainer and horse of the year awards off to a good start.

Turf Club secretary/manager Rob Tweedie said the Joseph Jones partnership have stables at both the Sapphire Coast as well as Canberra.

“It’s a real benefit to the horses being able to shift about when the weather is warmer,” he said.

Also keep an eye out for entries from renowned trainers Danny Williams, Theresa Bateup and Luke Pepper, among plenty of others in a quality line-up.

Last year, Dure, ridden by Chelsea MacFarlane, won the Bega District News Open Handicap over 1600 metres. MacFarlane rode her second winner for the day on Cop A Nip in the Merimbula News Weekly Benchmark 60 over 1400m.

This Thursday is a full TAB race meet, with gates opening at 1pm and the first jump around 1.45pm.

Along with the Bega District News-sponsored main event, other races on the card have been named for the Merimbula News Weekly, Eden Magnet, Bombala Times, Domain and Bega Buy Local campaign.

Free buses from Bega/Tathra and Eden/Merimbula are running to and from the Kalaru track. Details on the Sapphire Coast Turf Club website, sapphirecoastturfclub.com.au.

It’s the “bye” year for the Sapphire Coast Melbourne Cup race meet, with Moruya Jockey Club hosting it this year and no racing at Kalaru.

That being the case, Thursday is a great opportunity for racegoers to dress up, organise a work outing, or gather your friends and head trackside to enjoy the start of the local racing season.

The next race day at Kalaru following Thursday’s meet will be Restaurants Day on December 3.

PHOTOS, VIDEOS: 2017 spring race day at Sapphire Coast Turf Club