Bowen’s Biggest Race

One of the region’s largest race-days is getting set to shoot out from the gates with Bowen Turf Club preparing for the annual Bowen Cup in early October.

The Turf Club, which has been holding regular race meets for over 150 years, is looking forward to adding another major race event to its tally on Saturday, October 8.

In past years, the Bowen Cup has hosted in excess of three thousand attendees, and visitors aplenty are expected to make their way to Ben Bolt Park for this year’s iteration of “The Race That Stops The Whitsundays”.

One of the region’s biggest social events of the year will host five local races, complete with TAB and on-track bookmakers, a licenced bar, food vendors, and everyone’s favourite: Fashion on the Field.

Ladies (and gentlemen) will be out in their Saturday best for a race-day that’s promising to be one of the club’s finest.

Bowen Turf Club President Stephen Daley said the early ticket sales and table lock ins are already promising for this year to be huge.

“We’ve got a good problem to have: figuring out where to stick all the people! It’s going to be an enormous day for the whole district, like it always is,” Mr Daley said.

“The track’s in terrific order, it’s going to be a normal five race card with nominations, and we’ve opted for it to be an over 18 day again because last year was very successful.

Mr Daley said there’ll be quite a few local horses racing on the day, each ridden by jockeys from Mackay and Townsville.

Fashion on the Field will this year be run by Filby’s Motors, where there’s already been a great deal of interest from local ladies

“We’re looking forward to the whole day. It’s one of the biggest events in Bowen and it’s great for the community, even Airlie Beach and Proserpine support us immensely,” Mr Daley said.

“Last time was a great day out and if we can peak that performance, we’ll be very happy.”

‍