THINGS ARE ABOUT TO HOT UP IN CAIRNS - WINNO IS ON HIS WAY NORTH FOR CUP-DAY

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, August 24, 2023

The 2023 Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup meeting features a massive jam packed ten race program highlighted by the Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup, and the Magic Millions Daintree Guineas. The Ladbrokes Calcutta will take place on Friday 25 August at the Cairns Jockey Club ... in the President's lounge ... where the hosts of the night will be Steve Hawkins of Ladbrokes and Rick McIntosh the voice of the Bool. Then the massive race day is on Saturday in glorious north Queensland sunshine and warmth. Looks like Winno is set for a busy few days in Cairns. Stay tuned over the next few days whilst I try to find some stories and winners for you all ... kicking off here with a story of the main man behind the scenes.

THE CAIRNS CUP – THE BLOKE BEHIND THE 2023 CARNIVAL

As some of you know I am heading to Cairns Jockey Club this weekend where I will get to catch up with one of the good guys in horse racing administration – Cameron Riches. (I have never been to the Cairns track so I will be a NSW man deep in QLD country – hopefully the locals will be friendly).

This bloke has been around racing all his life.

He hails from the area and has a distinguished career in horse racing as an administrator in management positions.

He started his career at the Gordonvale Turf Club – being a committee member and then Vice President from 2011 – 2013. He then took on the President’s role from 2013 to 2017.

From 2013 to 2017 he was a committee member of the Cairns Jockey Club.

He then moved to the Northern Territory and was appointed the Operations Manager of the Darwin Turf Club.

I suppose this was my first interaction with Mr. Riches.

You see I was a regular attendee at the Darwin Cup meeting for several years. One year I turned up at the office to collect my media accreditation to see my name obliterated by an added comment “THE PEST”.

From that day it seems the name has stuck with WINNO – so Mr Riches thanks so much (maybe)!

He then packed his bags after overseeing one of the best Carnivals in Australia and moved back to his home turf. He was appointed the Operations Manager in April 2022 of the Cairns Jockey Club. In September 2022 he took on the role as General Manager.

This will be his first Cairns Cup as the General Manager – his lengthy experience and his passion for racing should see him ensure a fabulous event for the locals and visitors to the Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup in 2023.

He has given me the promotional slogan for people to come to Cairns for the racing – “'From the reef to the rainforest, why wouldn’t you want to be in Cairns for the Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup.'

One word of warning Cameron – I have three cameras packed ... covering all angles – so you had better keep your wits about you – WINNO.

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