No barrier to community support

Get your backside, trackside.

That’s’ the message from the Bowen Turf Club and the Whitsunday Coast Guardian as they team up for the first time ever to present the Whitsunday Cup race meeting at Bowen’s Ben Bolt Park on Saturday, June 9.

Bowen Turf Club president Cyril Vains said he was delighted the Guardian had pledged its support for a race meeting that encompasses all communities throughout the Whitsundays.

“It’s important we take the Whitsunday Cup to the next level which means a greater regional focus. By partnering with the Guardian, the Bowen Turf Club has the opportunity to market itself in places like Airlie Beach and Proserpine and that’s an opportunity we’ve jumped at,” Mr Vains said.

Whitsunday Coast Guardian owner manager Peter Lewis said it was a win-win for both parties.

“The Whitsunday Cup race day presented itself as a great opportunity for us to connect with those who love racing, fashion and a fun time here in the Whitsundays. It’s a known fact a lot of people here go to Bowen for the races and I believe our association with the Bowen Turf Club will result in a great day,” Mr Lewis said.

Earlier this week, Guardian editor Peta Keegan called in at the turf club to discuss the finer details of the race day with president Vains.

Bowen trainer Andrew Cameron was on the track with Gallant Hawk who will be starting in the June 9 event.

“Gallant Hawk has won four races … three in Brisbane and one on the Gold Coast. He also ran a really good fourth at Townsville recently,” said the trainer of the locally owned horse.

Ms Keegan said she had been interested in horse racing and rodeos since she was a little girl listening to her mother’s stories about riding in rodeos, years before females were even allowed in the arena.

“Mum tells a story where she rode pretending to be her brother. They were close to the same age and same build when mum was a teenager so no one could really tell the difference. I am not much of a rider myself but there’s something about the smell of the feed in the stables, the anticipation of the trainers, and the buzz of the punters around the old fashioned bookies that entices me to the races whether it’s around Tumut where I grew up to Townsville recently with my sister,” she said.

As part of the promotion, a number of sponsors have come on board and readers also stand a chance to win a weekend away to a luxury seaside retreat.