PIRATES and punters turned back the clock as they converged on the picturesque Wean bush race track for the Amateur Picnic Races annual meet on Saturday.
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Now in its 84th year, nearly 2500 racegoers rolled out to the meet dressed in this year’s buccaneers theme.
Race club president Les Alker said it was a huge success.
“We choose a different theme every year,” Mr Alker said.
“We always try to have a historic period.
“This was buccaneers, so it was 1650 to 1730s, the golden age of piracy.
“The costumes were fantastic.”
The race club delivered on its promise of food, fashion, fillies and fun as gates opened at 9.30am and the first race kicked off at 12pm.
Each year, the picnic races sponsor a local charity from its supporting towns, with this year’s beneficiary Rotary Club of Gunnedah West.
“We share it around between our supporting towns,” Mr Alker said.
“We raised a significant amount for them and they’re raising money for Pensioner’s Hill Lookout.”
Mr Alker said people came from the club’s supporting towns, across the region and even interstate to attend the meet.
The scene was set for a family day, with children’s train rides, a jumping castle and children’s foot races to entertain the kids.
Mr Alker thanked Gunnedah Shire Band for running the bar and manning the gates.
“We must also thank Whitehaven Coal as they own the land and continue to support the club,” Mr Alker said.
