Photo: Josh Woning
The Somerset region is set to welcome a record number of race enthusiasts from across South East Queensland this Spring.
With first class racing venues and events in Esk and Kilcoy, thousands are expected to race into Somerset in November and December.
Kilcoy Race Club Chairman Con Searle said the surge in race activity and interest is largely credited to recent innovations at the Kilcoy Race Club.
“With upgrades to the jockey’s rooms, broadcast and judge’s boxes, the addition of two permanent hospitality facilities and stall renovations, the Kilcoy Race Club are pacing ahead in the Queensland race scene,” Searle said.
“But by far the most successful innovation was to utilise land purchased by Somerset Regional Council to establish a 1200 metre starting point."
The 1200 metre starting point affords the horses a 400 metre straight run from the barriers to the first turn, significantly reducing the influence of barrier draws on race results.
Since the increase in field size, the Kilcoy Race Club has seen a huge leap in betting turnover.
“This start has been a huge bonus for the club. Our betting turnover across all meetings per annum has jumped 75 per cent in recent years,’’ Searle said.
“Our overall crowds are up 20 per cent and the number of race meetings across thoroughbred and harness has increased around 20 per cent."
The surge in racing events this season has lead Somerset Regional Council Mayor Cr Graeme Lehmann to unofficially dub Somerset as South East Queensland’s Spring Country Racing Capital.
Cr Lehmann said country racing is a vital component to Somerset’s agricultural industry and visitor economy.
“Race events in Esk and Kilcoy attract thousands of visitors to Somerset annually”, said Cr Lehmann.
“Visitors are drawn to Somerset’s country racing scene because of our spectacular scenery, hospitality and unique country persona.
“Further, Somerset is really upping the ante for race goers with a range of supplementary visitor experiences to add to their saddle bags.
“Somerset has great cafes, pubs, caravan and camping spots, galleries, gift stores, markets and cultural events and I am delighted that race goers are able to enhance their race experience while in region."
Brisbane resident Karina Griffiths (pictured above) shares those sentiments.
“The races in Esk and Kilcoy are always a great day out and being able to stay the night and explore the towns is a huge part of that experience," she said.
“At the last Esk Races, I glamped the night in a safari tent at the Esk Caravan Park, had my morning coffee at the Brisbane Valley Roasters and visited the markets, galleries, gift and antique stores.
“There’s nothing like a weekend Somerset escape and there is certainly something special about country racing in Somerset”.
Located in the heart of Southern Queensland, Somerset is an easy one-and-a-half-hour drive from Brisbane and an inland gateway to Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast.
The next Esk Race Country Race Day is on Saturday, 11 November, before the Kilcoy Christmas Cup on Saturday, 25 November.
Click here for more on upcoming country race events in Somerset.