Len Lucey legacy lives on at Mt Garnet

By Garry Dell

When Mt Garnet grazier Len Lucey donated land for a racecourse in 1938, he probably didn't envisage that it would grow substantially over the next 85 years and become one of North Queensland's "must go to" venues.

Or that the property would be named the Len Lucey Memorial Park in his honor following his passing several years ago.

The Mt Garnet Amateur Turf Club is gearing up for its annual three-day racing and rodeo weekend on April 28-30 with an anticipated record crowd of  3000.

Club president in his third year, Mark Alenka, a grandson of Lucey on his mother's side, said this week the club had spent countless hours preparing the track, rodeo arena and camping ground facilities.

"Indications are we'll have a crowd capped at 3,000 coming from all directions, including interstate," he said.

"We've had great rain at the right time and the track is well grassed.

"Nominations are expected from as far away as Mackay and Townsville as well as Cairns and surrounding far northern districts.

"Wife and club secretary Michelle has been flat out for weeks organising sponsors, Fashions On The Field, calcuttas and hall dances on the Friday and Saturday nights, as well as helping with Sunday's rodeo program.

"We used to run the pub in town and the Mt Garnet Amateurs has always been a great weekend.

"Facilities at the park have been improved over the years with great assistance from Racing Queensland and the local shire council.

"We've been told there's nothing like our weekend anywhere else in the state so we're privileged to have this event."

Record prizemoney has been allocated for the 11 races over the two days with the highlights being the Rob Koch Memorial Handicap of 1680 metres Benchmark 60 and the Gunnawarra Shield Class 6 over 1000m on Friday, and the $20,000 Norweld Mt Garnet Cup over 1800 metres for Open class horses on Saturday.

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