By Glenn Davis
A massive crowd is expected to pack into Kilcoy, the Moonee Valley of the North, for the 103rd running of the Kilcoy Cup on Saturday.
The race day will be a dual code event with seven gallop races along with three grass harness races and three mini trotting events along with fashions on the field.
The Beavis and Bartels families are sponsoring the meeting for the 38th year.
The marquee event, the Kilcoy Cup over 1200 metres, has attracted a capacity field of 12 acceptors with two emergencies, spearheaded by topweight Charlie Cat.
Club president Con Searle said the Kilcoy Cup day was a time-honoured event and a crowd in excess of 2000 was expected.
“I believe 38 years of sponsorship by the Beavis and Bartels families would have to be an Australian record for continuous support and sponsorship of a major country race day,” Searle said.
“I thank the Beavis and Bartels families for what they have done for country racing at Kilcoy by keeping the spirit alive.
“It’s become one of those days when everyone wants to come to Kilcoy and I’m expecting a crowd of around 2000 will turn up.”
Toowoomba trainer Rex Lipp has won the Kilcoy Cup twice and will be looking for a third with his promising sprinter, Love Ya Mrs.
Love Ya Mrs will be ridden by hard working Toowoomba rider Rebecca Williams who forged a successful partnership with Lipp when she was an apprentice.
“Rebecca won two or three times on Our Beebee in the city when she was an apprentice and when she told me she would be riding at Kilcoy I had no hesitation putting her own,” Lipp said.
“I’ve won the Kilcoy Cup twice and I think Love Ya Mrs is an ideal type around Kilcoy.
“He’s an on the pace horse which you need for Kilcoy.
“I haven’t been to Kilcoy for a few years but it’s a great country track and the committee is very hospitable.”
Love Ya Mrs has started only nine times for four wins including his past two outings at Toowoomba and Ipswich.
Racing Queensland webnews June 15