Hot on the heels of a fabulous Wednesday night at Isa Street Fest, the Rodeo Week action switches to Buchanan Park for a full meet of thoroughbred races Thursday followed by the famous Mailman Express races that evening.
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The races named for local identity Wally Mailman (father of famous actor Deborah Mailman) are a strict amateur-only affair where non-thoroughbred horses ridden by amateur riders race against the clock rather than each other.
Gates open at 11am, and the first of five regular races (ie where the thoroughbreds race against each other) begins at 1.30pm.
The last race is at 4.30pm.
There’s a gap of a few hours before the Mailman Express and local band Bulldust will be there to provide the entertainment in the interim.
Then at 7pm the Mailman Express kicks off.
Mount Isa Race Club expect about 25 jockeys and horses to nominate with the top 10 fastest qualifiers going through to the final.
There is $7000 up for grabs for the winner so competition is expected to be fierce with some owners, including last year’s winner Paul Edwards, coming up to the region for a fortnight to take in a similar event at Sedan Dip later in the month.
There is also a $3000 prize for the fastest local horse.
The Mailman action is expected to end around 10pm and Bulldust will then return to the stage with event going until midnight.