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Allan Oshyer proud to claim NAIDOC Celebration Chase

13 July 2021

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LcIfNVfs.jpegBy Jordan Gerrans

Boyland trainer Allan Oshyer was a proud winner of the NAIDOC Celebration Chase on Sunday afternoon at Capalaba, rounding out the racing industry's celebrations of NAIDOC week.

With special NAIDOC races run at Redcliffe and Townsville earlier this month, it was Capalaba’s chance to shine on Sunday, with an Indigenous Ceremony performed by Koormuri Cultural Dance Troupe, including a Welcome to Country and Didgeridoo performance.

There was also an acknowledgement of Country and share meaning of NAIDOC Week Theme for 2021 “Heal Country”.

Racing Queensland’s Senior Racing Manager for Greyhounds Brenton Scott says NAIDOC week provides the racing industry a chance to show their commitment to strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

“We have seen an opportunity for the racing industry at large to engage across NAIDOC to week and celebrate that occasion,” Scott said.

“It gives our industry an opportunity to be a part of healing country and presenting our take on it.

“NAIDOC has evolved to recognise the origins but also reaching out and working with the community to understand what is most needed in that reconciliation journey.”

Racing Queensland board member Dale Cartwright, who is also the Deputy Chair of Greyhounds Australasia and chairs the Greyhound Industry Advisory Panel meetings, echoed Scott’s sentiments.

“I think it is really great that we have got this celebration down at Capalaba, it has been very interesting to watch and it is being well supported,” Cartwright said.

It was up-and-coming chaser Balciano who claimed the 2021 RQ NAIDOC Celebration Chase, scoring over 366 metres by just under two lengths.

At just 21 months of age, veteran trainer Oshyer says Balciano is still learning and finding his feet but is pleased with the way he is progressing after three career starts, all of which have been in the money. 

Races

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Capalaba | Capalaba Greyhound Racing Club | 12:33 PM

NAIDOC CELEBRATION CHASE Maiden H

efHp3Otw.jpeg“He is a handy little dog and he looks like he is only going to get better,” Oshyer said.

“I have known the owner for a fair few years, Toni Graham, and I have raced other dogs with her – the couple of them.

“Toni has owned a lot of dogs and always been a strong supporter of racing in Queensland.

“We will probably take Balciano to Albion Park over 520 metres now.”

Oshyer has five greyhounds in work at the moment and said he was a proud winner of the RQ NAIDOC Celebration Chase post-race.

Kaylene Bowden, from the by Koormuri Cultural Dance Troupe, who also performed at Redcliffe earlier this month, enjoyed the experience of celebrating her culture at race meetings.  

“I think it is awesome what Racing Queensland is doing for NAIDOC, it is absolutely beautiful,” Bowden said.

“This is a good little turn out at Capalaba on Sunday – I just love it.

“I love coming and doing this, Redcliffe was great too.”

Bowden’s nephew, Jahmarley Dawson, thrilled the crowd with his Didgeridoo skills while also aiming to educate those in attendance at Capalaba.

“Australian people have come along way in understanding Aboriginal culture and that has come through education,” Dawson said.

In the other codes, Olivia Cairns’ Fire King won the RQ NAIDOC Yaddaman Race in Townsville on Tuesday while First String, trained by Belinda McCarthy, claimed the RQ NAIDOC Celebration Pace at Redcliffe.

Click here to read more about RQ’s celebration of NAIDOC Week, as well as our Reconciliation Action Plan.

Balciano