Mount Isa was in the unfamiliar position of hosting Easter Saturday races this year.
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Normally that honour falls to Boulia as part of their big rodeo and campdraft weekend but it had to be postponed this year due to flooded roads in the region.
So the meet was moved to Buchanan Park and a decent crowd came along to watch the five races.
In race 1 the Happy Easter from Mt Isa Race Club Maiden Plate over 1000m, veteran Keith Ballard steered equal favourite Punchie to victory by three quarters of a length from Violet Jane and Strykingly So in a trifecta for Julia Creek trainer Tanya Parry.
Race 2 was the Cava QTIS BenchMark 55 Handicap also over the kilometre distance and it was a thriller.
A blanket could be thrown over the front three runners as they raced towards the line but it was Dan Ballard riding Henry Forster's Kuril Fox that edged clear by half a length. Second was dad Keith Ballard who was riding mum Denise's Brave Jewel just ahead of Born to Fire in third place.
SEE PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE MEET HERE
There were just three horses in Race 3 the Bunmor Construction and Plumbing Outback Racing Showcase Heat Open Plate over 1450m and the bookies could not separate them all going in as joint $2.50 favourites.
However Keith Ballard could separate them winning his second race of the day for Henry Forster on Heroism.
Heroism finished three and a half lengths clear of Good Job Bro with Bight Attire a further six lengths back in third, or last, if you prefer.
There was also a double for the Dan Ballard / Tanya Parry combination as they won Race 4 the Colonial Supermarket Class B Handicap over 1200 metres.
Ballard rose Enterprise Rosie to victory by over four lengths from The Big Sheila with Red Facets a further four lengths behind in third place.
The final race of the day was the ADG Glass and Aluminium Class 3 Plate over 1200 metres.
Jockey Ric McMahon steered Bob Burow's horse King Solomon to victory by a head from the favourite, the Tanya Parry-trained Leica Celebre ridden by Keith Ballard, in his fourth placing of the day.
Those two streaked well clear of the field with Moving Target almost 17 lengths behind in third place.
This weekend North West Queensland racing continues with another meet in Mount Isa.
READ ALSO: Stockman's Challenge returns to Cloncurry
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