Skytrans Blog

Imagine the thunder of hooves enveloped in a haze of dust; out of the red haze appears a cluster of speed, muscle and sheer determination. Horses fully stretched, jockeys straining with mouths closed to keep out the dirt. The crowd closes in, watching and listening to the racing commentator whose enthusiasm belies the fact that he has no idea either. If you are watching and listening to this, it must be September and you must be in Quilpie.

Perhaps you have just witnessed the Grocer’s Gallop, the first of four sprints that make up the Quilpie Digger’s Race Club Pride of the West Race Meeting, a unique day of bush racing where the only stipulation regarding horseflesh is that it must not be a registered racehorse and likewise, no registered jockeys or trainers either. Station horses race throughout the day over four hundred metres; the locals will tell you to back the jockeys not the horses. Well supported by the community, the race programme features races such as The Cattle Carter’s Classic, The Bulloo River Bolt and the Wool Grower’s Wager, with successful competitors vying for the chance to race off in the final to be The Pride of the West.

Quilpie always caters to the crowd: it is great to be on course early to enjoy the Race Committee’s Welcome Drinks and mix with visitors and locals alike. Fashions of the Field are hotly contested throughout the afternoon, the Bulloo Park turf dazzling with colour, stunning millinery and death defying heels. The 2012 Pride of the West featured The Bristol Car Club of Australia with nine beautiful old Bristols on display and their proud owners enjoying the renowned Quilpie hospitality. For the racing tragic, sky channel betting is available with bookies on course and a local tote. The Calcutta run before the Pride of the West is a spectacle in itself with all the theatre and excitement only a bush auction can provide.

When the horses have been fed and stabled for the night, the party really kicks off with a great band and the bar open till late; for those not too sore from their big day’s racing, there is still time to retrieve their pride and prove themselves on the dance floor.

Skytrans have been great supporters of the Quilpie Digger’s Pride of the West and the Race Club would like to acknowledge their strong support over the years and sincerely thank them for their generosity and commitment. Their sponsorship prize of a return ticket for two is much sought after and is always a great drawcard for the Race Club. Many of our visitors fly out for the meet, either into Quilpie or Thargomindah and it is wonderful to have this reliable air service so our city cousins are able to experience what is quite simply, true bush racing.

© Kylie Rutledge October 2012

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