Good luck for Weetwood

THIS time-honoured Weetwood Handicap on Toowoomba Cup Day holds a special place on the Queensland racing calendar. For more than a century, participants have descended on the Darling Downs in pursuit of glory, stretching back to Zulu’s win in 1895.

The race remains synonymous with Toowoomba, and while it has been a challenging time due to COVID-19, this year’s edition is sure to bring the city to life – especially with Cup Day coinciding with the Carnival of Flowers.

I encourage everyone to enjoy the festivities and to remain COVID safe by following the guidelines available at the track. In recent years, the Weetwood has taken centre stage during the Queensland Spring Racing Carnival, providing the perfect opportunity for racegoers to enjoy everything that is great about a day at the races. Racing across the Darling Downs provides an invaluable community meeting place throughout the year.

It also provides economic benefits to the region generating more than $60 million per annum to the local economy, as well as supporting more than 2700 participants and almost 500 full-time jobs.

By next year’s Cup Day, Clifford Park will enjoy new facilities including a permanent marquee adjacent to the parade ring and 24 new stables and four feed and tack rooms. These are being built with the support of $1.1 million from Racing Queensland. With a blockbuster card, including the Toowoomba Cup, Pat O’Shea Plate and the Garden City Guineas, tomorrow’s raceday is going to be terrific. Good luck to those chasing glory – and those in attendance – and I hope you have a great day.