10 July 2015
by RQ and the Gympie Times
Gympie’s next race meeting, the Zinc 96 Family Picnic Race Day on July 25, is shaping up as one of the most varied racing occasions ever on the Gympie racecourse.
The Gympie Club and Racing Queensland’s harness racing operations have worked together to have three harness races run at the conclusion of the five thoroughbred contests with a variety of special attractions added to the usual popular events at Gympie’s race meetings. Some characters from the Disney movie, Frozen, will be on hand to entertain the kids while a jumping castle and face-painting will provide further activities for the youngsters.
There will be free admission for those under 18. The three harness races will be run on the racing surface, starting in the straight behind the harness racing mobile starting gate. These events will carry prizemoney of $1500.
Queensland’s Racing Operations Manager, David Aldred said it’s a first for harness racing at the sand thoroughbred track. “The race club is very keen to showcase harness racing and there is a huge day planned with lots of activities or everyone,” Aldred said. “Events like this are working very well for harness racing here, the grass track circuit and the trotting show circuit are reintroducing harness racing to audiences in our regional areas and sparking plenty of interest. “Just last weekend harness racing was featured on television on Channel 7’s Great South East lifestyle program with the Weideman family promoting the Brisbane Ekka show harnessracing and the segment ran for several minutes.”
The dual code Gympie race meeting commences with thoroughbred racing up to 3pm when the sand track will be watered and rolled to prepare for the three harness races. which will get under way about 3.50pm. The upstairs area of the Bill Bishop building, above the betting ring, will be utilised as a corporate area. Meanwhile there will also be a number of market stalls set up on the day to further enhance the picnic theme of the race meeting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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