Gympie Turf Club turning pink for a good cause

By Andrew Smith

The Gympie Turf Club is always hopeful of attracting a big turn out to its first race day of the year, but a huge crowd would carry extra special meaning in 2026.

The race meeting on Saturday, February 28 will double as the club’s inaugural McGrath Foundation Pink Race Day.

The day will help to raise important funds for the McGrath Foundation and the care of cancer patients around the country.

The idea was the brainchild of former Gympie Turf Club president and current committee member Spencer Slatter.

The club stalwart, who was the recent recipient of RQ’s Cheer A Volunteer award for his years of dedication to country racing, explained how the Pink Race Day came about.

“I raised it with the committee before Christmas - it seemed like a great cause, and one which we thought would sell well with the public, and that it wouldn't be hard to convince the public to support it,” Slatter said.

“People have got behind it already, and obviously the aim is to raise money for the McGrath Foundation and to help them fund the cancer nurses they have throughout Australia.

“We have one in Gympie, and we just think it's a great cause for the Gympie Turf Club to support.

“We've got a target of $10,000 on the day, but I'm pretty sure we'll eclipse that fairly easily.”

The club will donate $5 from every entry on race day directly to the McGrath Foundation.

Local businesses and the community can also sponsor the day through race names, or advertise in the race books and around the venue on race day.

Gympie Turf Club secretary Alana Ratten said the club was calling on the Gympie region to turn out in droves to support the great cause.

“The first race day of the year is always a bit difficult to get the patrons here, so it was Spencer’s idea to do a charity fundraiser,” Ratten said.

“We're really proud to be supporting the McGrath Foundation, and without Spencer's innovative ideas like this, it probably wouldn't be happening.

“We've been in touch with the McGrath Foundation and a lot of local businesses around Gympie as well to get their sponsorship of the race day.”

 Slatter was also encouraging locals and Southeast Queensland racing enthusiasts to head along to the track to contribute to the fundraising efforts.

“It's a great cause - there's not a family in Australia that hasn't been touched by cancer in some way,” Slatter said.

“I think everyone would love to see the end of cancer, and the McGrath Foundation certainly helps those people that are going through cancer in their family or themselves.

“It's a cause that is pretty hard not to support, I think.”

The Gold City club hosts eight race days every year.

The McGrath Foundation Pink Race Day will include a five-race card, with sponsorship opportunities still available.

Click here for more information or to book tickets to the race day.