By Richard Turnbull
The final field for Saturday's $8000 Emerald Cup (1615m) was confirmed on Thursday morning, witha small but even field of runners set to face the starter.
While you could make a case for all runners engaged, young Rockhampton trainer Jared Wehlow looks to have the stand-out in the field with Worthy Hero, which looks to have a strong class edge on his rivals.
Tuxedo Boy, fresh off a win in the $13,000 Tree Of Knowledge Cup over the Mile has good each-way claims and will get in nicely at the weights.
The meeting at Pioneer Park, which coincides with the 15th Marist College Race Day, is one that stops Emerald in its tracks.
The new-look 'Lunch on the Lawn' Marquee is at capactiy.
Marquee Manager Leah Stirton, P&F President Allison Adams, and a team of committed school-based volunteers have worked their magic to help reaise funds for the school.
Track curator Noel Coyne has the track picture-perfect, having done plenty of hard work to ensure the track is a Good 4. The five-race showcase meeting, worth $44,000 in prize money has attracted an excellent cross-section of trainers from all areas of Country Queensland.
Kooroorinya Picnic Meeting
Tracey Leake and her stable jockey Raymond Williams combined for four winners on a historic weekend at Kooroorinya's Picnic Meeting, including stable-star Top Royal which took out the prestigious sprint double - The Bangle and the Presidents Gift.
The club celebrated its 101st year of country racing and Leake, who is following in the footsteps of her well-known late father Ross, and grangather, Mick, is currently the only third generation trainer in the history of the iconic outback club.
Her family's colours of blue and gold have raced there for more than 85 years in succession.
In addtion to Top Royal, Williams also rode another two winners for Leake aboard Hayylers Element and Tash's Will, securing him the highly sought after 'Whip' for most successful jockey on the 16-race program.
With record nominations of 66 horses, more than 400 people flocked to the outback spectacular to the South of Prairie for an action-packed weekend of activities.