MY CALL - CAIRNS AMATEURS IS GETTING ITS MOJO BACK
By David Fowler (in Cairns) | Tuesday, September 11, 2012
David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.
It's been a tough haul but the Cairns Amateurs Carnival is finally getting its mojo back.
There's been pretty talk and glad handings in recent years but Saturday's 10,000 plus crowd proved conclusively it has turned in the right direction and it "ain’t going back".
While the opposition is fairly easy to beat, the two day carnival is Queensland’s biggest country racing event.
The Friday and Saturday race-days last weekend were rippers but the associated social functions make it a real "carnival".
The critics will carp "it's just a social piss up". Far from it!
Industry participants strive to win at the Amateurs not only for the healthy prize-money, but it's a feather in the cap to win at this time of year.
You only had to take a look at racing hard-head Tom Hedley doing handstands after Common Objective won the big ticket race, the Amateur Cup.
Hedley is a North Queensland die-hard. In a way, this is his Melbourne Cup.
The culture of the Amateurs Carnival has changed over the years from the weekend being one for the upper class to being one of Cairns's biggest parties with racing centre stage.
I'm tipping the bottom line will be pleasing without being a financial bonanza. But
pleasing is a good result.
**********************************************************************************************
And there wasn't a mention of the track condition. Not a peep.
The carnival has suffered in recent times because of the track's sluggishness in recovering from poor weather.
But this year it looked good, but most importantly played well. Of course, prolonged fine weather helped.
If you were a tough marker you might suggest it was a tad ‘leaderish’ biased but most jockeys I spoke to gave it thumbs up.
If the green light is given for a cash injection for a track makeover, surely it will follow suit that Cairns might secure a few more TAB fixtures.
Watch this space.
**********************************************************************************************
Securing sponsorship is a tough gig anywhere, but the Cairns Amateurs committee might have a record on its hands.
CUB put their hand up 54 years ago to be a major sponsor … and that was Carnival number one … and it has never wavered since.
I'd like to see a club who could match or beat that.
**********************************************************************************************
Pleasantly surprised to catch up with former trainer Richie Stephenson at the Tulloch Club lunch on Thursday.
"Friar Tuck", as Pat O'Shea playfully tabs him, will be former no more as he is keen to renew his trainer's ticket.
After a couple of sour years with political implications, the big man of Toowoomba racing will be back before you know it.
**********************************************************************************************
RQ chairman Kevin Dixon is chalking up plenty of frequent flyer points to visit so many areas of Queensland racing.
I suspect his first visit to the Cairns Amateurs won't be his last.
But I'd love a dollar for everyone who tugged the Dixon coat seeking a friendly hearing or some folding stuff for a club.
Dixon, in his RQ role, is in a similar position to the LNP Government.
There's not a lot in the cupboard, but try convincing people of it.
Until next week.
More articles
|