By Casey OÇonnor
With just a little over a week until the running of the 162nd Warwick Credit Union Warwick Cup, Allman Park is a frenzy of activity as the finishing touches are completed on new infrastructure worth close to a million dollars.
Chief operating Officer Kirsten Doyle said the public would notice changes at Allman Park for this year’s event.
“The build up to Cup day (8 October) is always busy but this year there are quite a few upgrades to finish before Cup Day, so it is all systems go at the moment,” Doyle said.
“This year the public will see Allman Park has undergone a number of changes, from new furniture purchased for the comfort of the public to some big infrastructure projects.
“The race callers stand has been replaced by a double story caller’s box which has been moved back to allow callers a better view of the action. There will be an additional 20 new tie up stalls for horses. “That will give us a total of 99 stalls.”
With the rise in the number of female riders, the club has also extended the female jockey’s room. A new swabbing box and vet facilities have been installed and new horse ambulance purchased.
The inside and outside running rails, damaged by floods earlier in the year have been replaced and the saddling enclosure gets a face lift with a new fence.
In all the total cost of the upgraded facilities amount to around the million dollar mark and will see Allman Park meet the Racing Queensland requirements of a Tier Two race club.
Barry Burgess President of the Warwick Turf Club said while some of the work was directly related to the upgrade of Warwick to a Tier Two (TAB) he feels the Warwick Racing community, racing patrons and Warwick businesses will all benefit from the recent work and hopes Warwick will becoming a more appealing track for people to race.
While the upgrades continue, Doyle said online bookings and inquiries about in the Cup meeting with combined prizemoney of $153,000 have been excellent.
Bookmakers will be on hand for anyone wanting to bet on local and southern events.
On the track seven races have been programmed. In addition to the $30,000 Warwick Credit Union Warwick Cup the program includes the running of the $24,000, 2022 Frasers Livestock Newmarket handicap.
There is sure to be plenty of interest if the Kropp Racing team try to etch their names further into Warwick Cup history with a fourth successive Warwick Cup.
A full ring of bookmakers will be operating as well as the TAB terminals.
Racing enthusiasts can get a taste of Cup day at the Warwick Sandstone Calcutta the night before the meeting. The Calcutta kicks off at 6.30pm and is hosted by Scraping the Dulux. Punters are invited to come along to the Club and enjoy complimentary nibbles and a live auction for entertainment.
Gates open at 11am, with plenty of action throughout the day wrapping up entertainment by live band Route 33 from 4.30pm to 8.30pm.
To book on-line visit www.warwickturfclub.org.au
