Goondiwindi celebrate long-time club figure

By Jordan Gerrans

It would not be a race day at Goondiwindi if not for Russell Mortimer.

The lifelong Goondiwindi resident has been a part of the fabric of the local racing industry for the past 35 years and the local club went out of their way to celebrate his grand contribution on their biggest day of the year.

Mortimer has worked as the clerk of the course at the track in the border community for all those years.

The Goondiwindi Race Club held a presentation and ceremony on Saturday – which coincided with their local Cup day – to honour his contribution.

Mortimer works as a supervisor on road projects around the region for a day job and was chuffed to be recognized alongside his family on Cup day.

“I felt privileged because they have always had a good committee at Goondiwindi and that is why I have stayed there,” Mortimer said.

“They have always helped me where they can, they are a professional crew.

“It is a safe environment and they are a good bunch of people, I have always meshed with them.

“I have always fitted in at the club, they are a good bunch of people.”

The clerk of the course role is vital to a race day’s success and while it is key for the industry, many viewers or punters on the code would have no understanding of the job.

A clerk of course provides high quality horsemanship to assist with the punctual, orderly and safe running of races as the position helps race day officials and industry participants.

During the ceremony, club president Cutter Hayes noted the ‘unbelievable dedication’ Mortimer has afforded the Goondiwindi Race Club and his love of the racing industry as he completed the presentation at Gunsynd Park.

Hayes also reported that Mortimer had not missed a meeting in 35 years.

Mortimer has been on horseback for much of his life but landing in the role of clerk of the course came by chance.

He has long broken in gallopers for trainers – including Peter Sinclair at Moree and others – as well as helping horses get their barrier education.

Before taking on the gig as clerk of the course, Mortimer had kept an eye on the racing game and would attend on occasions socially but was not an active participant as an owner or big punter.

He was first enticed to join the club in 1988 by Goondiwindi stalwart and racing enthusiast Les Zacka who had a number of reasonably good horses at the time.

“I have been there ever since,” Mortimer said with a laugh.

“It is hard to get people to do the clerk of the course, it is a tough job to fill.

“I have enjoyed every day I have had out there at the track.”

The role of the clerk of the course can be a thankless job in the sport and Mortimer says he has never had a problem with anyone involved in the local club, the trainers or committee in his 35 years of service.

As well as Goondiwindi, Mortimer has also served the job as clerk of the course at Talwood in years gone by, as well.

In his 35 years he has ridden just the four different horses on race day.

Mortimer jokes that he is coming to the end of his tenure in the job, predicting that he has ‘three or four’ years left in the tank.

He will not be lost to the sport however, declaring he is likely to take on another role at the club that does not require him to be on horseback.

“There is always a quirky horse or two on race day and whoever comes and helps me on race day, I always try and give them advice so no one gets hurt,” Mortimer said.

“You try and give that advice that you have learnt over time.”

The Goondiwindi Cup over 1400 meters was claimed by the Inverell-trained Aytobe, which was ridden by Leeanne McCoy.