MY CALL - THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THE CAIRNS AMATEURS IS THE PRIME COUNTRY CARNIVAL IN QUEENSLAND
By David Fowler | Tuesday, September 10, 2013
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.
Gerry Collins hasn't missed an Amateurs Carnival since they began in 1959.
For the major part he was "on committee" of the Far North Queensland Amateur Turf Club in the halcyon days.
The days of visiting politicians, VIP’S and big corporate sponsorships.
Any regrets that he no longer holds an official and prestigious position?
"None," he says smiling broadly. "The younger generation on the committee have got this thing going again. It's great to see."
You're an old-time waltzer if you don't move with the times and the modern day Cairns Amateurs reflect that.
The south-east perception held by many that it's a "toffs weekend" is well wide of the mark.
The lion's share of the crowd is a young audience, dressed to the nines and remarkably well behaved.
They know they've got a good two day carnival and treat it with respect. After all, it contributed $13 million to the Cairns economy in 2012.
***************************************************************************************************
There was another significant culture shift in recent times that has propelled the carnival forward.
To say the FNQ club and the Cairns Jockey Club had a less than cordial relationship years back would be an understatement.
Hatfields and McCoys on the same land, type of deal.
But CEO Graham Thornton handles both clubs nowadays and he is a talent that could be easily poached from the north.
His organisational skills are second-to-none and largely contribute to the smooth running of both the Friday and Saturday cards.
***************************************************************************************************
There is little doubt the Cairns Amateurs is the prime country racing carnival in Queensland.
Some in Rockhampton and Townsville might dismiss such a claim, citing their racing stock is of higher quality and that is a legitimate statement.
But the crowds and atmosphere on both days knock the other two out of the ballpark and the associated functions give it a long lead in the "social stakes."
***************************************************************************************************
The pictures that were beamed out of Cannon Park on both days consolidated this theory.
A made-over course proper, a brand spanking new running rail and huge crowds on both sides of the track gave a great look.
Saturday's 12,000 strong crowd, an upsurge in numbers in the infield corporate marquees and the new two story marquee for the Carlton 1500 Club were tangible signs of continued growth and resurgence.
**************************************************************************************************
Racing Queensland CEO Darren Condon was an impressed onlooker at his first visit to Cannon Park.
After such a long period in the doldrums, an increased TAB profile for Cairns is not out of the question in the short or long term in my book.
***************************************************************************************************
The transmission of on-course prices has been a prickly issue for Racing Queenland in recent times.
RQ sent judges, vets and stewards from the south-east to facilitate both Fridays and Saturday but a local was left to handle the prices portfolio.
Eyebrows were raised by many.
Until next week.
More articles
|