The Gordonvale community is set to come to life this Saturday afternoon with the running of the popular annual Cup meeting.
Racing Minister Grace Grace and Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave, Curtis Pitt, will be among those in attendance.
The Gordonvale races have been a regular fixture in the Far North Queensland racing and social community for more than 100 years, with Saturday’s Cup set to be the 106th running of the feature staying contest.
The Gordonvale Turf Club is one of the more picturesque racetracks in the Sunshine State, being based at the foot of Walshs Pyramid.
The club race twice every racing season, headlined by their Cup meeting in October, and another raceday in May.
A Gordonvale raceday is one of the most well-attended meetings in the north of the state with a massive influx of people descending on the country town, south of Cairns.
The $16,000 Cup will be the headline event of the five races this Saturday and will be run over 1800 metres.
“It’s wonderful to be back in the far north of the state for one of the region’s most iconic local events,” Racing Minister Grace Grace said.
“The Gordonvale Cup is steeped in history, and is one of many examples of how the racing industry continues to thrive in Far North Queensland.
“The latest data shows racing contributes nearly $40 million a year to the local economy and supports more than 300 jobs.”
Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt has been a proud supporter of the Gordonvale Races for more than a decade.
“Gordonvale is well known for hosting quality events, and the Gordonvale Races is certainly one of the most exiting days on our social calendar,” Mr Pitt said.
“Our community spirit really makes race days so special.
“I’m proud to have supported the volunteers of the Gordonvale Turf Club Committee over many years.
“The committee have been active in securing funding to make ongoing improvements to their facility, like the installation of a new race call tower and converting overhead powerlines to underground.”
The club is also set to celebrate the life of one of their great contributors during the meeting.
Long-time Gordonvale president and local trainer Eric Baker passed away earlier this month after a long battle with illness.
Baker was instrumental towards a grandstand being built at the Gordonvale site, on top of enhancing improvements on their running rail and widening the track.
“The wealth of knowledge and passion Eric had not only for the turf club, but Gordonvale is something that you cannot just teach someone,” former Gordonvale President Cameron Riches said.
“People like Eric Baker is what country racing is all about.
“I was honoured to be his successor 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.”
