By Tania Phillips
The Warwick Credit Union Warwick Cup, to be held on 9 October, heralds spring for the people of the Southern Downs and Granite Belt.
It’s a time to bring out the glad-rags and dust off the good hat, and to meet up with friends old and new at the Warwick Turf Club.
It happens as regularly as clockwork – even last year’s Covid 19 lockdown restrictions couldn’t stop it – change it around a little yes, but the Warwick Turf Club members are nothing if not adaptable and the event went on as it had for the 159 years before that.
Warwick Turf Club secretary Kristen Doyle said the 161st running of the Cup, yes it predates that one in Melbourne, promised to be another big event for the town with things mostly back to normal.
It is still a ticketed event like 2020 but one person can order for a group of people and there will be QR Codes at the gate on the day so unlike last year racegoers don’t have to stop and fill out details. Flash your phone and you’re in to enjoy the seven-race program according Kristen said.
“It’s a seven-race program and I’ve got all my sponsors locked in for the races,” she said.
“They revoked the Qld Racing Covid Safe plan and we are now working under the Covid Safe Check-list for Restricted Businesses. This means because it’s a ticketed event we can have maximum seating so we will probably cap it at 2000 this year but we can go up to 2500.
“Last year was very well attended given the numbers we were allowed and everyone had a great day. Covid tried to get us down but it was still successful. I had a lot of positive comments from people who don’t normally give you feedback. It was a really good day.
“The atmosphere was nice and we are going to keep that up. We’re allowed to have a band this year and it’s Sleeping Dogs – a local band.”
She said this year the track-side pavilion would have a buffet lunch under cover with the nice new sandstone terrace out the front.
“Our sponsors are there too and it’s a nice place to be on Cup day – it’s called the Kidszone Australia Trackside Pavilion and the tickets are $80,” Kirsten said.
“You don’t have to have a table of 10, you can buy whatever you want.”
She said outside the pavilion there were $22 admission tickets.
“You can just come in and find a table because there will be tables there,” Kristen said.
“But if you want to make sure you definitely get a table you can pay $50 extra for your group and have a table with your name on it. It’s all through Eventbrite. The link is up on our Facebook group.”
The very popular fashions on the field will be back again this year with three categories – Best Dressed Male, Female and Couple with $5000 in cash and prizes up for grabs and is being organized and run by Louise from Rose City Shopping World. They will also have platter boxes this year which can be picked up from the servery on the day.
There will also be a Calcutta held at the Turf Club the night before this year’s race which is now starting to become an important part of the race meeting and adds to the fun. There will be food and it is free entry but those wishing to go will have to register for catering purposes.
As always two young local ambassadors have been chosen to promote the event.
“Joseph Levick who works for Checkmate Safety and plays local rugby, was the ambassador last year and he didn’t get much of a go because of Covid – he couldn’t really talk to people because of social distancing – so last year was a bit of a test run for him,” Kristen said.
“Now he has taken on the role with Bree Clark who is a young local hairdresser at Warwick Hairbar. Bree loves coming to the races and is having her 21st here. They are both young people who enjoy coming to the races and are interested in what happens here. Bree is bringing me into 21st century and will be creating some Instagram Reels for us on social media.”
Gates will open at 11am, it is a ticketed event to make things easier with Covid and people will still have to check in with their QR Code.
“We will have food and drink, bookies and country racing on our nice track, we will have some umbrellas up and we can fit more people in the trackside pavilion this year,” Kirsten said.
