Horses for courses
LAURA RACES
Bush racing is unique. The Laura races are something else. Each year thousands of people head to the far north town from all parts of Queensland, including the Douglas Shire.
This year was no exception with race club officials declaring the 2023 edition the most successful ever crowd wise, especially on the Saturday night. Despite small fields, due to another bush racing club increasing its prize money, the betting ring was chockers and RM’s best clobber was on show. Many of the fellas and gals got dressed up for fashions on the field and were rewarded for their efforts.
On the track, the prestigious Laura Cup went to 6-year-old Forgiato ridden by Masayuki Abe who had a tumble in an earlier race. The ambos had to give him the green light to ride in the cup after putting him through a strenuous medical check.
The Japanese-born hoop has been in Australia for over two decades. Masayuki has been based in Cairns for the last six years and is a familiar face at the Laura races. His loyalty paid off with a big win in the cup with daylight second.
Forgiato’s Innisfail trainer Renee Schluenz was over the moon with the victory “It’s a huge thrill yes, we’ve wanted this one since last year when he ran well in the cup, and we thought he could go even better this year and it’s come off” Forgiato started at $3.20 second favourite and picked up $9,800 for its connections. The band this year was Black Image from Cooktown and the dancefloor on Friday and Saturday night was full of fans and those discovering this amazing local band. The Harrigan’s are all brothers and are booked up two years ahead.
They often go on tour with Troy Cassar-Daley who met drummer Cliffy thirty years ago and formed an immediate bond. “Over the years, when I'd gone up to Weipa or Cooktown, I’d play with the fellas and that bond grew over the years because of the fact that we had that unbreakable friendship from the get-go,” said Troy.
Laura Races Secretary Jenni Sorensen said this event ever year, along with the rodeo, proves that if you give people what they want they’ll arrive in droves “The committee held a meeting straight after the meeting and started planning for 2024, it’s a big job” she said. The Laura races this year was in honour of three stalwarts of the club who passed away recently.
Syd (Les) Dewar
Syd always had good advice to impart and mentored young and old people to get the best out of life. He was always there to muster a crew and get the work done. Natures gentleman.
Ian Adcock (Addie)
Ian loved the racing industry and its people. He was involved in various roles within the Laura club for over 50 years as President and Secretary, owning and training horses to enter at Laura and being involved in working bees and fund-raising activities.
Kevin Darmody (Stumpy)
Kevin was the Laura publican tragically taken by a crocodile recently and was much loved by locals and visitors alike. He always had time for a chat and was a huge supporter of the racing club. He was always keen to tell people a yarn or two or cook up a feed and inform visitors of local road conditions, because he wanted to keep everyone safe.
I’m sure Les, Addie and Stumpy were looking down on the races this year and smiling.