THOUSANDS are expected to flood through the gates of Gunnedah’s Riverside Racecourse for Saturday’s Christmas Hams meeting.
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Trainers from across the state will look to take home glory as more than 180 nominations flooded in for the seven-race event earlier in the week.
Gunnedah Jockey Club secretary-manager Mark Storey said the day was shaping up to be one of the club’s “best yet”.
“It really is a social event of the North West not just Gunnedah,” Storey said.
“We’ve got plenty of groups coming in from nearby places such as Tamworth, Boggabri and Somerton, but also groups from as far away as Newcastle.
“It’s certainly shaping up to be a very enjoyable day for racegoers, that’s for sure.”
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Given the higher than expected nominations, Storey said the race card could be extended.
“It’s going to be a huge day of racing,” he said.
“At the moment we are scheduled for seven races but there could be more depending on how the acceptances fall.
“There have been some huge nominations from trainers like Chris Lees, Paul Perry and Alan Denham, really all of the big trainers from down south.
“Also pleasing is that the local trainers who really support us and our track, will be out in full force.
“I think that support is really a true reflection of the good work put in by our dedicated stuff here at the club, they have done a fantastic job at keeping the track in great condition in this drought, and it shows through how many trainers choose to come and race here.”
Along with the action on the track, the competition will be hot between race goers in both the fashions in the field and the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club Best Dressed competition.
“There’s $1500 worth of prize money up for grabs in this year’s fashions in the field,” Storey said.
“We often have people just attending the races for the fashions in the field, in fact I know of a couple of ladies coming up from Sydney just for that.
“Really though, there will be something for everyone in terms of entertainment on the day.”
- Gates open at Riverside Racecourse from 11am on Saturday.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
