A SENSATIONAL day of racing and spectacular fashions combined to create a terrific atmosphere for the thousands of enthusiastic guests who attended the 2015 RSL Townsville Cup.
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All that could be heard on Saturday at Cluden Park was a collective chorus of excitement and laughter during one of the biggest social and sporting gatherings of the year in north Queensland.
In the signature $100,000 purse RSL Townsville Cup the Ben Currie-trained Honey Toast and jockey Paul Hammersley clinched a tight 0.2L victory over Kerry Baumann’s Rock Vantage, with Bill Kenning’s Castle Express placing third and John Manzelmann’s Richie Rocket rounding out the first four.
It was a visibly excited Currie who accepted the magnificent Cup trophy on the winner’s podium after the race.
“Winning a prestigious event like the Townsville Cup is the reason you put in the work during all those early mornings,” the Toowoomba-based trainer said.
Honey Toast’s part-owner Sharon Thomsen,Gladstone, was ecstatic after the five-year-old bay geldings win.
“We love him; he’s a special animal who tries his heart out,” Ms Thomsen said.
“We purchased him last year and he hasn't let us down; out of 16 starts he’s had seven wins and four second place finishes,” she said.
Thomsen said that for now Honey Toast would enjoy a well earned spell before hopefully continuing his winning ways at his next meet.
“We love seeing him do well, but we are even happier when he comes home safe.”
In the two other feature races of the day the Errol Sewell-trained Valley Rose rode to glory in the Parry NQ Classic; and in the Cleveland Bay Handicap Baumann’s Ladretto prevailed in a classic which saw the first four separated by 0.6L.
Townsville Turf Club chairman Kevin O’Keefe said the club has worked extremely hard to see through the $7 million upgrade to the course and racing facilities.
“It’s been a big process, but we’ve accomplished the task we set out to complete,” O’Keefe said.
“We now have one of the best race surfaces in the nation, which will strengthen our claim as the most elite race day in north Queensland” he said.
“This is the largest provincial race day in Australia and an event the Townsville Turf Club committee and staff are extremely proud of.
“I’d like to give special thanks to the Queensland government; Racing Queensland and minister for sport and racing Bill Byrne who was personally involved in the approval process.”
Mr Byrne had the honour of cutting the ceremonial ribbon on track signifying the official reopening of the club while a pod of doves took flight over the course, giving the grounds their blessing.
