Spring sunshine and clear skies lured racegoers to the track yesterday capping off three stellar days for this year’s 61st iteration of Cairns Amateurs Carnival.
After winning both Townsville and Cairns Cups, six-year-old The Harrovian, (stable name, Harold) trained by Stephen Massingham galloped into this year’s Carnival a clear favourite to take home the Stella Artois Cairns Amateurs Cup and the Triple Crown which would more than double the prize money for local owner Tom Hedley.
Having ridden more than 4000 winners, veteran jockey Robert Thompson didn’t disappoint, proving experience matters in delivering a fairytale ending to this year’s two-day race program and an extra $200,000 in prize money.
Across at the Cairns Central Fashions on the Field, more than 100 competitors, a record, across both days vied for a slice of the $20,000 prize haul across 12 categories (five new categories added in 2019) with the majority of winners proving it was local, custom-made ensembles that impressed judges most.
Designs by local doyenne Fashions on the Field dressmaker Pauline Fenech took home three major prizes over the weekend – another example of experience coming to the fore in winning this year’s hotly contested fashion stakes.
Long time committee member Ross Moller ended his first Carnival as President serving top honours to the event management team led by Victoria Jennings and committee whose hard work culminated in sell-out events across the three-day Carnival.
“Well done to everybody. It was the best Carnival ever! Let’s make it even better next year,” Mr Moller said.
“While it is too early for final figures, Saturday’s race day was the biggest we have seen in 10 years with numbers estimated at around 11,000 the future looks bright.
“The appetite for spring racing is definitely increasing with a new generation of young people engaging in and enjoying the traditional sport of horse racing.
“I like to think this is a lot to do with the work of our newly appointed local and national ambassadors who used their combined influence on social media to spread the great word about Cairns Amateurs.
“I would like to thank Brittney and James Tamou, our national ambassadors, in particular, for their enthusiasm and energy over the weekend which was infectious and there is no doubt their presence on and off the sporting field and on social media helped bring Cairns Amateurs to the attention of a new audience.
“Over the years Cairns Amateurs Carnival has become a rich thread woven into the colourful fabric that is Cairns and Far North Queensland – a wonderful event where country and city collide and showcase for the idyllic lifestyle headlined by the natural attractions of reef and rainforest,” Mr Moller said.
The 62nd Cairns Amateurs Carnival will take place 10-12 September 2020. For more www.cairnsamateurs.org.au Imagery by Blueclick Photography of this year’s 2019 Cairns Amateurs Carnival
