Kilcoy Race Club ready to honour veterans

By Paul Dolan

Kilcoy Race Club will pay homage to Australia's defence personnel with this weekend's Veterans' Race Day.

Club chairman Con Searle said the club was looking forward to keeping the spirit of veterans alive at Sunday’s feature race day at the popular south-east Queensland track.

"It’s the annual race day where the Kilcoy club takes the opportunity to acknowledge and honour the sacrifices, spirit and courage of all past and present Australian defence personnel who have served this wonderful country,’’ Searle said.

A ceremony will be held that will include the Ode of Remembrance, performed by Brisbane bugler Ross Stevenson.

175 nominations were received for the eight race card which is likely to extend to nine or 10 events when acceptances are taken on Thursday morning.

‘’You feel proud as a club when nominations from high profile trainers such as Lee Freedman, Tony Gollan and Annabel Neasham/Rob Archibald are received," Searle said.

"Of course, we appreciate everyone who supports us. With no Sunshine Coast racing this weekend, we have received plenty of nominations from trainers based there.

"These include Jack Bruce, Belinda Mair and Trevor Miller who have been in the winner’s circle lately at various tracks."

Jockeys will be competing for the Bruce Duncan Memorial Challenge, decided on a points basis.

There isn’t a race club in south-east Queensland which hasn’t been impacted by so much rain for the past few months, and Kilcoy is no exception.

The forecast is for fine weather through to and including this Sunday, with top temperatures ranging up to 26 degrees.

This bodes well for not only a good racing surface, but also for the ever popular Fashions on the Field for which cash and vouchers will be awarded across various categories.

Even though Sunday’s weather is likely to resemble a spring day, officially it’s still winter, with the fashion judges looking for winter-themed race day attire.

Admission to Sunday’s meeting is free for everyone, not just war veterans, with a $500 pick the card competition and $100 members draw.

The Queensland Mini Trotting Sporting Association will be there with three mini trots races to be run between the thoroughbred action.

Kilcoy’s following meeting will be a harness day on Sunday, September 15, to be broadcast on SKY Racing, with thoroughbred racing to follow on October 10 and 31.           

Click here for more information about reservations and fashions categories.