Club ready for racegoers

TOWERS Jockey Club is putting the finishing touches on its first major race day and the first big social event in Charters Towers since COVID-19 restrictions first came into place.

The club will host the CPR Group Race Day on Saturday, July 25, and already the interest in the event is solid.

TJC spokeswoman

Sally

Kirkwood said while acceptances wouldn’t be finalised until today, already the nominations from trainers had exceeded expectations.

“I think the smallest field at the moment is eight and one race has 23 nominations in it,” Ms Kirkwood said.

“The race day we had a month ago was a real success and it’s going to be good to build off the back of that.”

This weekend’s race day will allow the return of patrons to the track, with a limited number of just 100 tickets available.

“And we’ll let everyone know on Facebook on Friday night if there are going to be tickets available at the gate, and if so how many,” Ms Kirkwood said.

“But for now ticket sales are going well, so I’m telling people they should definitely prepurchase.”

Ms Kirkwood said the committee was looking forward to seeing patrons at the track again.

“The social fun and racing will come together again on Saturday, and that’s what creates the magic of a race day,” she said.

“Full facilities will be available including bookies, bar, canteen and a full five-race program. And we’re going to hold a fashion on the field, with the theme of colours of celebration.”

Ms Kirkwood said the focus now was on ensuring officials, trainers and jockeys, as well as patrons, enjoyed a safe event.

“Our hope is that by August restrictions will ease a little more, but its very hard to plan,” she said.

“Hopefully by our December race meeting we’ll be able to have many more people and it will be a big celebration.”

The Towers Jockey Club CPR Group Back to Racing race day is on Saturday, July 25. Tickets are available from Towers Garden Centre on Millchester Rd.

In line with COVID-19 restrictions, any patrons who present with flu-like symptoms including coughing or visible sickness, will be turned away at the gate.

Anyone who has been sick recently is asked not to attend.