IT’S that time of the year when the permanent residential population of Birdsville, 1600km from Brisbane, swells from 1000 to as many as 8,000 with visitors arriving from all parts of Australia.
Labelled by the locals, the Melbourne Cup of the Outback, this year’s double-header on Friday and Saturday will be the 144th running of the historic event celebrating a prizemoney boost to a record $350,000.
The action start starts tomorrow and Thursday leading up to the running of the Akubra Big Red sprint race on Friday and the Cup on Saturday. The Birdsville Races Ambassador this year is prominent media personality and horsewoman Ally Mosley who will be joined for the trackside broadcast of the 13 races over two days by her SKY Colleagues Ben Way and Paul Joice.
Those who dare to be different can sample the famous Birdsville Camel Currie Pie (with as many flies as you want on top). Regulars have declared it a ‘must’ for the pie-eating followers of racing in this country.
Visitors get the chance on Wednesday the meet author Neale McShane, the former Bridsville policeman, who reads from his book Outback Cop and shares stoies from his time policing one of Australia’s most isolated communities.
The Birdsville Cup Parade highlights the entertainment on Thursday along with whip cracking and horseshoe tossing contests involving plenty of visitors.
When the annual event returns to the iconic red dirt of the Birdsville track on Friday and Saturay, the increased prize pool will strengthen its place as one of the richest and most unique race meetings in outback Australia.
Birdsville Race Club Vice President Gary Brook says the improved travel rebates acknowledge the realities of racing in the Outback with long distances to travel – and will help ensure that the field remains competitive.
“Increasing prize money and rebates allows us to support participants and incentivise them to travel, which in turn helps us deliver an unforgettable experience for racegoers,” Brook said.
“We’re grateful to be in a position to continue to strengthen our race program and know the increased rebates will be welcomed by all racing participants, that remain the lifeblood of the sport and our event. We were already the richest race meet in Outback Queensland, and this elevates us even more.”
A celebration of Outback spirit, every September the Birdsville Races see thousands of punters trade suburban street scapes for endless horizons and red earth as they make the annual pilgrimage to the bucket list event on the edge of the Simpson Desert for two unforgettable days of thoroughbred horse racing and revelry.
The 13-race Birdsville program attracts trainers, jockeys, bookies and racing enthusiasts from across Australia, with the carnival atmosphere spilling beyond the track with the RFDS Gala, RFDS Fun Run, Fashions on the Field, live music and cold beers at the Birdsville Hotel, food stalls, auctions and star-filled nights under a wide desert sky.
