Eric Baker remembered as a driving force behind the Gordonvale Turf Club

By Jordan Gerrans

The picturesque Gordonvale Turf Club would not be what it is today if not for the dedication and hard work of the late Eric Baker.

The long-time local trainer and administrator was laid to rest on Thursday after his death earlier this month.

Eric was 78 years of age and had endured a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Eric comes from a long line of racing participation in his family, being a third-generation trainer.

“What country racing is all about” is how friends have described Eric.

He held the title of president at the Gordonvale Turf Club for more than a decade, with his tenure leading to significant upgrades to the FNQ-based non-TAB facility.

Eric’s skills were not just limited to the administrative area of racing, he knew how to prepare a galloper as he also had success as a trainer.

Respected racing administrator Cameron Riches succeeded Eric as president at Gordonvale and detailed his enthusiasm and commitment to the code in FNQ.

“The wealth of knowledge and passion Eric had not only for the turf club, but Gordonvale is something that you cannot just teach someone,” Riches said.

“People like Eric Baker is what country racing is all about.

“I was honoured to be his succeeder at the great club and it was a privilege to have worked with Eric for a number of years.

“It was also special to be part of the Gordonvale Turf Club when we as a committee presented Eric with Life Membership in 2014, something that was well deserved for all his blood, sweat and tears put into the club.”

The last name of Baker is synonymous with thoroughbred racing in the area.

Eric’s brother - Ralph - is an astute conditioner of race horses to this day.

Eric and Ralph were born into the sport after their father - Alfred James  - and grandfather - Alfred John - both put polish on gallopers.

“Racing has been with us for all our lives,” Ralph said.

“It is a family thing.”

Ralph’s son – Brett – made it four straight generations of trainers, preparing horses on the Darling Downs today.

The Gordonvale club – which is based just to the south of Cairns - race twice a year.

And, while they do not hold TAB status like other tracks in the area, a Gordonvale race day is as well-attended as any in the north of the state.

To cater for the massive influx of people on race day to the country town, Eric pushed for and eventually delivered sparkling new facilities for the club during his stint as the president.

“He always put the club first before himself and was the backbone of where the turf club is today,” Riches said.

“Eric was the one who successfully lobbied for the grandstand and main bar complex, which still stands today.

“Eric and wife Lorraine – who is also deceased - would always be the first ones at the working bees, set ups and clean ups and when stepping down as president in 2013, Eric would still be a strong part of the club and stayed on as a committee person.”

Following Eric’s mentorship, Riches has gone on from the voluntary role as president at Gordonvale to become the general manager of the Cairns Jockey Club after spending five and a half years working for the Darwin Turf Club as operations, racing and facilities manager.

Ralph is one of few trainers who use Gordonvale as a base and can see his late brothers efforts on show every morning at track work.

“He did a lot of great things for the club and he was a driving force behind the grandstand being built,” Ralph said.

“He was very passionate.

“He widened the track on the turns – he was a grader driver originally himself – and had experience with that kind of work.

“He put the running rail on the outside of the track. 

“He was active in all the goings on to make sure the club was going forward.”

Held in Gordonvale, Ralph noted that his brother’s funeral and wake was well-attended on Thursday.

Statistics show Eric prepared 20 winners in his time as a licensed trainer, with mare Little Miss Eva one of the best gallopers he had in his barn in the early 2010’s.

“As we came through, Eric and I rode track work and Eric went on to ride in the picnic races and rode a few winners,” Ralph said.

“Then, he started to have a horse in the back yard and he trained it as a hobby.

“He built up to having a couple at a time and he got his winners and enjoyed that side of racing.”

Racing Queensland extends its condolences to the Baker family.