Race club prepares for annual Derby Day
PREPARATIONS are well under way for the Burdekin Race Club’s second largest race meeting of the year on Saturday, October 30.
Derby Day, a day where families can attend and enjoy an afternoon of racing, is celebrated annually on the Saturday prior to Melbourne Cup.
Coinciding with the Home Hill Harvest Festival celebrations, the Burdekin Club anticipated the community would rally to support the Justin Scott Memorial Derby Day.
Five local races were scheduled for the program, with trainers expected to nominate from as far away as Cairns and Mackay, ensuring full fields and competitive racing was the order of the day.
Burdekin Race Club president Ricky Gudge said Derby Day in Home Hill would feature three memorial races.
The Cody Prizeman Memorial and The Russ Reguson Memorial would precede the feature event of the day, The Justin Scott Memorial Benchmark 65 Handicap over The Burdekin Cup distance of 1830m.
“Derby Day is a traditional classic black and white fashions affair and the ladies of the turf will be well catered for in the VIP picket-fenced area under the track’s prominent fig trees,” Mr Gudge said.
“The ladies of the north will be looked after in a strictly 18+ event, commencing at 1.30pm and continuing through to 5.30pm with drinks, nibbles, cent sale and raffles as well as entertainment by popular Townsville vocalist Renee Stanley.
Tickets at $70 per person (including gate entry) could be purchased from Jade Body Fashions in Queen St, Ayr.
The event will include Belle and Beau Fashions on the Field, a jumping castle, face painting and ice blocks.
Adult entry is $15, children are free.