GOONDIWINDI RACE CLUB TO STAGE COUNTRY STAMPEDE AND CUPS CHALLENGE - 24/10/2020

Goondiwindi Race Club has welcomed the opportunity to stage the Double Header feature Race Day which will be held at Gunsynd Park on Saturday October 24. The Race Day coincides with the annual Cox Plate Race Day at Moonee Valley in Melbourne and a good crowd is assured.

The replacement meeting was offered to Goondiwindi Race Club following the very successful recent “We are Back and Racing Event” held at Gunsynd Park in September. After a long lay off from Country Racing, the Goondiwindi Race Club welcomed back patrons to the Vern Kleinschmidt Trust Gold Cup Race Day on Saturday September 12 and a very good crowd attended.

“Until then, COVID19 had thrown Country Racing into chaos but Country Clubs like Goondiwindi have been determined to show that with the strong Industry Plan supplied by Racing Queensland, Country Racing can be conducted safely. Racing in the border areas such as Goondiwindi has proved near impossible” a disappointed President Maurice Hayes said today and restrictions placed on nearby interstate trainers is extremely disappointing, but we remain extremely hopefully that the NSW restrictions imposed by Racing Queensland may be lifted to allow Moree & Inverell horses and jockeys to attend this Feature Qualifying meeting. They are a major part of our Country Racing scene.

Record nominations are expected with the excellent program provided with two $10,000 races as well as a QTIS Benchmark 60 race on the program. The only other Country meeting on that day will be at Charleville so the club expects that owners, trainers and jockeys will support the day. Bookings are essential and can be made on line at www.trybooking.com.au/BLWFQ. There are two levels of tickets available – Trackside reserved seating at $18 or general admission at $10 and numbers will be capped in order to comply with the RQ Industry COVID Plan. Once patrons have booked online, those requiring group seating in the terraced area should contact Mary Jane Clarke on 0427 299080 to confirm their table numbers.

President Cutter Hayes said today we are expecting quite a few visitors for the weekend and everyone is welcome. There are plenty of attractions apart from the Race day with all Hotels and venues catering for visitors with good old Country hospitality, coffee shops and Bistro meals and Sunday Breakfast at different centres as well. Visitors may like to arrive early on Race Day and visit the famous Gunsynd Museum in the old Council Chambers.

Goondiwindi also boasts one of the best Country Golf Clubs and a Friday afternoon or Sunday morning 18 hole on the picturesque Golf Club is another extremely enjoyable event.

So this year, while it is disappointing we can’t travel to Melbourne for the Cox Plate, it is time to take a bit of the City to the Country and come to Gunsynd Park for Cox Plate Day 2020. You may not see Winx winning but you sure as hell will have a great day out and see Racing at its Best in the West – at Gunsynd Park.