All bets off at Mackay Harbour beach races
They came from hundreds of kilometres around, dusty, dry and out for a good time: Northern Queensland’s Mackay Beach Races.
The dress code varied from fascinators and suits to shorts and thongs, the unusually high tide delayed the first race, a couple of the horses were nags, and some punters were disappointed there was no betting.
But the lack of a tote was a minor setback for race-goers, many of whom had travelled Outback-size distances to make the Mackay Harbour beach races this weekend.
Fuelling the disappointment of the potential gamblers out for a flutter on a warm Queensland day was that there was no warning of the absence of betting on the event website.
But race-goer Mike Welch said the day had been the highlight of his year in Mackay so far, despite missing the “opportunity to lose some money”.
Welch, who hails from thoroughbred breeding capital of New Zealand, Cambridge, is no stranger to horse racing.
“Some of the horses and jockeys were a bit rough ‘round the edges, but the racing was still good fun. I was also surprised by the lack of betting, but at least they didn’t do way with the alcohol!”
There are high hopes the event will become an annual event as Mackay tries to promote tourism to lessen dependence on the main industries of mining and sugar cane farming.
The first race was delayed due to an unusually high tide, and there was still plenty of splashing along sections of the 400m race strip. One horse stumbled on the challenging track, and the jockey fell – however neither was hurt.
Portable grandstands overlooked the sea and were supplemented with VIP tents, live entertainment, and bars.
And with all well-known international horse meets, the beauty competition provided a change of scenery. Brooke Finato saw off a well-dressed line up to be awarded the title of Mackay Beach Horse Racing Festival ambassador.
“The best looking fillies of the day” was overheard in the crowd as the six ambassador finalists gracefully held onto their hats in the stiff sea breeze.
The dress code of the crowd was eclectic as the standard of horses – ranging from shorts and thongs to suits, dresses and fascinators.
Race organiser Mick Pope said he got the idea after going to beach races in Ireland.
“We are on a mission to get a crowd of 20,000 by 2020,” Pope said.
If popular opinion of the several thousand that who attended is anything to go by, race organisers may just get that goal over the line.
