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THE Mailman Express sprint race is one of the most iconic races of its kind - and one of the most sought-after races for trainers and jockeys.
Quarter-horse events is a growing sport, not only in the North West, and the crowd at Buchanan Park on Thursday night shows its popularity.
The majority of the crowd was there for the party - but many were there to watch the fastest sprint horses race for first prize of $5000 (Page 24).
Owners, trainers and jockeys give time and money to prepare their horses for the event.
And if the organisers of the Mailman Express want the event to grow, and continue to attract the best competitors in the country, it must be run under the guidelines it sets out in the fine print.
It must be a race of integrity.
It must be raced to the rules.
The North West Star received numerous queries about the running of this year’s race, showing that competitors and spectators want the event to be run to the rules.
One must feel for trainer-jockey Bek Knudsen, who had prepared her horse Seductive Fame to win back-to-back Mailman Express sprint races.
Her horse should have been declared the winner and she should have been celebrating a huge achievement by winning the race for the second consecutive time.
Instead, she was legitimately questioning why Casey was declared the winner.
If the Mount Isa Race Club wants to ensure the integrity of the Mailman Express, it must be steadfast in ensuring competitors comply to the rules of the race.