BOOKINGS of 400 people have already been made for the beach party races to be held at Buchanan Park on Saturday; an astonishing increase from last year’s first race of the year.
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The beach party races marks the end of the regular three month racing halt for the North West Region. Last year the first race at Buchanan Park had 150 that walked through the gates, according to club member Lenore Saunders.
Mrs Saunders said the club was increasing its atmosphere for its race days. This year she’s been involved in costumes for ‘Horace’, the race club’s horse figurine. She already has plans to dress Horace as a leprechaun for the upcoming Saint Patrick’s Day races.
Representative of local boutique Loft 23, Danielle Yamaguchi, was eager for the races to return to the region.
“I love the punting and the fashions and the wine,” she said.
“All the ladies that come into the shop can’t wait for the race day."
Ms Yamaguchi said the current trends in women’s racewear suiting the beach party theme were playsuits with flower crowns and floral designs.
Mount Isa Race Club president and jockey Dan Ballard said the number of bookings were promising.
He said the local community appeared to want their “racing fix” after three months without a local racing event.
“The amount of bookings we’ve had shows we’re in for a ripper year. It’s going to be a cracker,” Ballard said.
He predicted a “mish mash” of results in the first race meetings of the year while horses return to their peak fitness.
And jockeys such as himself would need to shed the weight they accumulated in the break and focus on racing preparations.
There’s been minor upgrades to the track. The Mount Isa City Council grader was shifting the track’s surface following storm run-off during the wet season.
“We’re hoping to put a couple of truckloads of sand on the track...so hopefully trainers will appreciate an improved racing surface for their horses this year,” Ballard said.
Upcoming local race meetings include the Mount Isa St Patrick’s Day races on March 18, the Cloncurry Luau Races on March 25, and Maxwelton on April 1.