Big line-up: Racing and markets to light up Callaghan Park Coome Racing take out first and second place in Race One at Callaghan Park on December 18.
Horses Tony McMahon
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The ever-changing roles of racecourses to diversify and open other revenue streams apart from just race meetings comes into play at Callaghan Park, Rockhampton this weekend.
Callaghan Park in recent years has become an integral venue for community events ranging from boat shows, conventions and parties of all sorts as well as hosting aspects of the Rockhampton Show.
With no disrespect intended, it has also played host to the “Matches and Dispatches” – more plainly known as the celebrations of weddings and funerals.
Winner shows courage with a capital âCâ Trainer Ricky Vale, jockey Ashley Butler with daughter Tahnae, Absolut Artie and Kale Sinclair. Photo: Tony McMahon.
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While both the champion from the early â70s, Gunsynd, and current star Rockhampton horse Absolut Artie are incomparable on an achievement level, they both share a common thread - courage with a capital âCâ.
Gunsynd (gr g 1967 Sunset Hue -Woodie Wonder) was an elite thoroughbred, winning 29 races, many at GR 1 level, and is an Australian Hall of Fame racehorse inductee.
In 1973, the year he retired, the song
The Goondiwindi Grey was released about him and sung by Tex Morton.
Vale continues impressive winning trend Trainer Ricky Vale with winning jockey Ryan Wiggins unsaddling Rocky Cup winner Absolut Artie earlier this year. Picture: Tony McMahon.
Horses Tony McMahon
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Continuing a winning trend that could result in a personal best this season, Rockhampton trainer Ricky Vale came very close to annexing a winning treble at Callaghan Park races on Tuesday.
Vale produced tough Drumbeats seven-years-old gelding Meatball (Elly Smith, $3.60) for a last stride nose win over Electrified (Ryan Wiggins, $2.60) as his first winner in the BM 72 (1600m).
It was Meatball’s sixth race win in a 31 starts career under three trainers.
Jockey back on track in Rocky with five rides Jockey Les Tilley has five engagements on the seven-race TAB Rockhampton Jockey Club program on Tuesday.
Horses Tony McMahon
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Jockey Les “Bubba” Tilley will end an 11-week absence from race riding in Rockhampton when he hits the track at Callaghan Park races on Tuesday with five rides.
With the disruption resulting in a frenetic year of racing in 2020 because of the dreaded COVID-19, Tilley - once a regular at Rockhampton meetings - has been concentrating on south-east Queensland venues.
Over the years, some career highlights that have netted Tilley almost 500 winners have taken place for the 26 year old lovable larrikin of a jockey at Callaghan Park racecourse.
Stage set for bumper meeting at Callaghan Park Jockey Michael Murphy will ride Better Reflection in the $32K Magic Millions Country Cup Qualifier at Friday’s race meeting at Callaghan Park. Picture: Mike Mills.
Horses Tony McMahon
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IN THE spirit of Christmas, Racing Queensland was left with no other option but to divide Friday’s QTIS 3YO Maiden (1100m) at Callaghan Park, thereby expanding the program out to nine races.
As such, the stage is set for one of the busiest Friday race meetings ever staged by the Rockhampton Jockey Club with 106 horses declared to start.