The event is the only race of the year for the town McKinlay and normally attracts up to 500 people. 

It is normally held in June but a change of date of the Cloncurry and District Show meant a clash between both events. The date of the McKinlay Races was changed to this Saturday instead, said Mr McNevan. 

“We are hoping we will still get between 400 to 500 people. We will have to wait and see what happens,” he said. 

“We might be going back and forwards to the pub for more beer.” 

The races was a good chance for the local community to come together and catch-up, the committee secretary said. 

“It is fairly important. It is probably the one sort of event in McKinlay (town) where everyone tends to go to it. This is the main one.” 

The track was prepared and ready for the horses and had been for some time. This week the club was finishing some minor upgrades to the judges’ box to improve its safety, Mr McNevan said. 

There were 62 acceptances spread out across the six races of the day. 

Mr McNevan was delighted in the number but said that there were some over-nominations in some of the races. 

“The most we can do is 12 in one barrier and we have got 14 in the Brodie Hardware Benchmark 45. 

“Jockeys seem to be the big issues at the moment, whether owners can get enough jockeys to ride horses.” 

Gates to the race club opened on Thursday with unpowered sites available to attendees. Toilets and showers were available. 

Entertainment starts at the Walkabout Creek Hotel on the Friday night, with music, a bar and a barbecue available. A courtesy bus will run between the pub and the race club. 

Between the six races there will be a fashions on the field contest for best dressed men, women, couples, and children. There are also two lucky gate prizes worth $250 each which will be drawn after the Cup. 

There will also be the $1000 Chris McConachy Open Foot Race. Anyone can enter to compete in the 200 metre race.