IT IS a sad but undeniable fact that the Townsville Amateurs is no longer a shining light on the north Queensland racing calendar. In fact, events of last week would indicate the lights are just about out.
The NQ Amateur carnival was once regarded by many the best carnival in the north (Cairns included). And visitors came from all over the west, many from the south and a large contingent or regulars from the north as well.
In a preview of this year’s meeting held at Cluden on Saturday, the club recalled the days when thousands converged on Townsville “for an extended weekend of fun, festivities and top class horse racing”.
“Since the very first race meeting was held in 1911, the affectionately titled 'Amateurs' has faithfully reflected life in North and Western Queensland through good times and bad, droughts, floods, fires and two world wars.
“The club has a mix of town and country members and, in recent years, there has been a strong growth in the numbers of younger members.”
And the preview bravely concluded: “This ensures that the annual carnival will maintain its status as a social and sporting icon for vast numbers of people throughout the North and West of our State.”
That is as bold prediction in the current climate for Saturday’s meeting attracted the poorest crowd on record.
Gone are the days of a bumper two day meeting that in the good ol’ days was preceded with a massive seafood smorgasbord and Calcutta on the lawns of the Casino on Thursday night.
The Amateurs Ball on Friday night was rated for years as the best of the season, and the recovery at the track on Sunday was also a sell out. Those social highlights too have gone.
So has the original race date that for some reason was switched from late October (W.S.Cox Plate day) to a date wedged between the Townsville Cup and Cairns Amateurs. The Cup distance was also altered from 1400m to 2000m.
Seems it all started to roll downhill when Carlton United pulled out of sponsorship - and many blame the outbreak of EI back in 2010 that just happened to coincide with amateur week.
The threatened demise of the amateurs is clearly shown in the prize money. In 2010 it was $125,000. Last Saturday total prize money was ra rock bottom $90,000. Such a shame.
THE Mackay Turf has finalised its NQ Derby date and prize money after protracted negotiations with RQ.
The race will be run on October 8, will carry $30,000 ($20,000 to the winner for three and four year olds. You just wouldn’t believe the drama the Club endured to get the final OK from the governing body which prompted MTC chairman to wonder whether RQ are there to help or to hinder.
“Don’t worry next year we will have a lot more prize money and we will make this a feature race on our calendar,” said Lou.
The club are gearing for a big day with a 100m foot race to be run down the straight for registered footballers.
The grand finals will be over so there should be some fit players ready to run for a couple of grand in prize money.
Country racing ambassador Billy Slater?
The new Commissioner of Queensland Racing Integrity Ross Barnett has certainly hit the ground running with his proposed overhaul of penalties. For instance a trainer will be looking at a minimum of six years disqualification if a horse swabs positive to cocaine, LSD, growth hormones or other haematopoiesis agents. It will be life if there is a previous conviction if these proposals are adopted
For horses proving positive to TCO2 swabs. Hormones,diuretics,cobalt, hydrocortisone, arsenic ad cobalt trainers will face a minimum of 12 months disqaulification,and life if there are three convictions in five years.