Green light for August grass track racing at Gatton

Harness racing will make a long-awaited expansion in regional Queensland, with the announcement of the first meeting on grass in the Lockyer Valley in August.

The Darling Downs Harness Racing Club is celebrating the allocation of its race date at Gatton on August 25, and planning is well underway on a community day to help harness the momentum for expanding the sport west of Brisbane.

“This is a really important step that recognizes the growing interest in the sport out this way,” secretary of the Darling Downs Harness Racing Club Brendan Sippel said.

“We have a long history in the sport, and two of the largest studs are in our area, in Burwood Stud and Egmont Park. They’re both part of our group and there’s a great appetite in the community for us to grow.”

Sippel said the club was finding it was not just representing the Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley.

“Our membership base is getting bigger and wider and we’re trying to also put on events for members.  We think there’s quite an area that has untapped potential out this way and one of our core goals as a club is to grow harness racing,” he said.

“Show trots have been running at Toowoomba for quite a few years, but last year we had trots at the Gatton Show for the first time in 21 years,” he said.

“They’re good signs and we will keep working hard with the goal of continuing to grow harness racing at a grass roots level.”

Sippel, who is a passionate owner and breeder, said the committed team at DDHRC had been working tirelessly behind the scenes to obtain a racing licence with Racing Queensland.

“There have been meetings on grass at Kilcoy, but this is the first one at Lockyer Valley,” he said.

“This opportunity has been made possible with a commitment by the Lockyer Valley Turf Club and we thank their club for its support.

“It’s a great first step to be able to develop a series of race meetings which will include racing at Warwick Racecourse on November 10 and Toowoomba Showgrounds at dates to be announced.

“There’s a lot of buzz now to come along and see harness racing on the grass in the local community so we’re approaching it from a community point of view. The August 25 meeting will be a real community day with free entry and free kids’ activities and we’re working with community groups to come along on the day and help us out.”

Sippel said the club was pleased to have TAB and Sky Channel coverage on the meeting as well.

“Horse numbers and participant levels are growing in Queensland especially in the western corridor and to continue that growth we need to grow the infrastructure.  We think another 1000-metre track is definitely needed as well as a training centre.

“We’re finding that horses are being balloted from a lot of race meetings because of the sheer numbers, especially at this time of year during the Queensland winter carnival.

“Our committee has been persistent for a very long time to reach this goal and we’re actively pursuing other opportunities to grow the sport in the areas of the Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley regions.  We’re a persistent bunch and we’ll keep chipping away, so watch this space!”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink