TRACKSIDE AT THE RACES
IT has long been known as the sport of kings, but the queens have reigned supreme in recent years and in Townsville they now have the castle to fit.
On Townsville Cup Day, the Townsville Turf Club officially unveiled its new jockey facilities, which included a ladies-only change room that rivals the males’ room.
It has been a long time coming for the leading ladies of racing, none more so than Townsville jockey-trainer Bonnie Thomson.
A veteran of the saddle, Thomson has gone from being tucked away in the corner of a tin shed with 20 other blokes to a space she he describes as luxury.
But Thomson said the refurbishment would mean more to the young females she watches entering the sport each year.
“This is one of the best facilities statewide (for female jockeys),” Thomson said.
“It is good because we also have e a lot of young female riders. It gives s them a bit of privacy too, so there is s no discomfort for them.
“(Comfort) is pretty important t when it comes to the girls. You have a few girls who can struggle with their weight so they are stripping down to nothing. You don’t want to have boys in there when you are having to do that.”
The jockey rooms have also been fitted with a new kitchenette, ambulance bay and full spa facilities but Thomson said she hadn’t been able to take full advantage of those just yet.
The $600,000 upgrade was a joint project funded by the Townsville Turf Club, Racing Queensland and the federal government as part of the Building Better Regions Fund. Member for Herbert Phil Thompson was at the track for the official unveiling yesterday.