THE racing season gets under way in Hamilton this weekend with the traditional Cancer Research UK Family Day opening fixture.
Hamilton Park racecourse is promising a bumper season, which includes the return of the popular Saints & Sinners night and a live performance from Welsh crooner Sir Tom Jones.
And this season will see a 10% increase in racing prize money to £752,000, which will help attract quality fields to fixtures including William Hill Braveheart Night, Glasgow Stakes Raceday and Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell Racenight.
There will be a homecoming of the Saints & Sinners charity meeting on June 28 – it was based in Hamilton for 42 years from 1965 – and 24 hours after Sir Tom Jones plays on July 6, pop group Steps and singer Peter Andre will perform.
The racecourse has a new partnership with McGhee's Bakery to offer racegoers an "afternoon tea" advance ticket.
But all the fun starts on Sunday at 12.15pm when Cancer Research UK's Rowan Main will cut a ribbon to mark the start of the new season.
Vivien Kyles, Hamilton Park chief executive, said: "Our first meeting of the season is always a thrilling occasion.
"We work all year round on a huge variety of events but there is nothing to rival the buzz of a big meeting at the racecourse so Sunday can't come soon enough."
For more information or tickets call 01698 283806 or see the website: www.hamilton-park.co.uk
stef.lach@heraldandtimes.co.uk