A meeting at Burdekin Race Club last Thursday was the first of three additional TAB meetings to be held at the Home Hill track as Townsville Turf Club is in the process of upgrading its training track.
“We’ve been helping the Townsville Turf Club out by having track gallops and jump outs to take pressure off their main course,” said Burdekin Race Club President Ricky Gudge.
With Townsville’s training track out of action, trainers have been utilising the main course two or three times a week.
With the influx of use on Townsville’s main track, TAB dispersed four meetings scheduled between last Thursday and the end of the year, with three going to Burdekin Race Club and one to be hosted in Bowen.
“If we don’t take these meetings on, the horses don’t race, you’ve got jockeys, owners and trainers out of pocket, it’s a lot of money involved,” Mr Gudge said.
“By us taking the meetings on, it’s still generating money and it’s still available for punters to bet on.”
Burdekin Race Club has undergone its own improvements to get the track to a “TAB standard” but are discussing upgrades to facilities, including jockey and steward rooms, with Racing Queensland.
“Being in the Burdekin, with our supply of water, it’s not a problem to go out and water our track and keep it in top condition,” Mr Gudge said.
“We’ve upgraded both our running rails to the state-of-the-art PVC running rail so it’s safe for horses and jockeys, and our club has always done the right thing by our owners and trainers.
“We’re hoping that we will be considered as a back up to Townsville moving forward so if something does happen to go wrong with their track, they can always utilise Home Hill.”
The second biggest day on the club’s calendar, Scotty’s Memorial Derby Day, is coming up on Saturday, November 4, incorporating Ladies Day and Justin Scott, Russell Reguson and Bill (Cody) Prizeman Memorial Races.
Meetings are also scheduled for Tuesday, November 28, Saturday, December 9, and Thursday December 28, 2023.
Locally trained horse Old School finished in first place in race three at Burdekin Race Club last week. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
John Power and Jim Olsen
Charlie Barbagallo and Len Hodder
Narelle Cheshire and Dana Cheshire
Leanne Gudge and Jan Davies
Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
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