For anyone fancying a fun day out with their girlfriends at the races, this event promises everything a girl could want or need to enjoy a fun and fabulous time.

Catering to a girl’s greatest loves the event includes a Stable Party area on the sideline of the racing action complete with cocktails, sushi and cupcakes, a Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Bar, dj and Style Magazines Fashions on the Field. Plus a Subiaco Style Bar and Beauty Bar where girls can enhance their hair and beauty techniques and get professional advice from industry experts.

The Style Magazines Fashions on the Field will have a new twist this year, with the winner judged online instead of at the track. Girls will feel like a celebrity as they pose in their race wear finery on the Fashions on the Field red carpet in front of the paparazzi photographer.

Online voting will be open until Friday, 2nd April and the winning fashionista will receive a $1000 Starshots voucher, two nights accommodation at Urban Hotel, a Goddess Ceramic Hair Straightener and a Samsung Digital camera.

And because every girl loves a freebie, the BRC is giving away hair straighteners in a huge Hair Straightener Happy Hour promotion. Every minute for one hour, a hair straightener will be given away. Entering is as simple as completing an entry form at the event.

This race day is definitely a girl thing (but boys are allowed too) and a wonderful Girls’ Day Out racing experience for women of all ages.

Tickets are an incredible $25 worth of value to experience a fabulous girly event and to receive 25 BRC dollars, redeemable at any of the Stable Party food and drink bars.

Tickets can be pre-purchased online at http://www.brc.com.au or at the gate on the day at Doomben Racecourse, Hampden Street, Ascot.

HBC Members overwhelmingly accepted the BRC’s proposal.

The new entity will be known as Brisbane Racing Sports & Social Club (BRSSC) and will operate under the BRC’s portfolio once licensing arrangements with the Office of Liquor and Gaming are confirmed.

Mr Dixon said, “The coming together of the two organisations continues the BRC’s philosophy of enhancing community relationships through the provision of ongoing sport and recreation facilities for the surrounding community.

Mr. Dixon continued, “It was always our intention that the Concept Master Plan would embrace and transform some of the local area’s most iconic places such as the HBC, and this is the first step towards the bowls Club’s transformation.

“Facility improvements will be made including the construction of synthetic international standard bowling greens as part of the BRC’s Master Plan,” said Mr Dixon.

Chairman of the HBC, Mr. John Cole said, “The provision of bowls facilities is what we are about. HBC members and the local community are now assured of a bowling facility for years to come”

“The Board of Directors researched all avenues and this was the best avenue for the provision of lawn bowls on offer”.

“We are very happy that the Brisbane Racing Sports & Social Club will conserve the rich heritage that HBC has developed over the years,” said Mr Cole.

HBC Members will automatically receive Membership to the new sporting Club. BRC Members will also receive Social Club Membership. All BRC Members and their guests will be able to gather and socialise at this fully licensed facility seven days a week.

Click here to read an article on the BRSSC from the City North News, Thursday 4th March 2010.

Schools can register now for the chance to decorate one of 24 life sized horse sculptures.

Students up to (and including) year seven are invited to participate in this fun activity.

Horses will be required to return to their stables at Eagle Farm no later than May 3rd 2010.

Judging will take place at Eagle Farm during Breakfast with the stars on May 8th 2010.

Be as colourful and creative as you like, keeping the historic AAMI Stradbroke in mind when looking for your inspiration.

You may wish to paint your horse or use additional materials, so long as the general shape is maintained.

To register your school’s interest please email marketing@brc.com.au or call the Brisbane Racing Club on 07 3268 2171. Registration closes on 12th March 2010.

The popular host of the Great South East has been engaged to promote the Brisbane Racing Carnival which runs from May 15 through to June 12 inclusive.

Sofie will appear at various Brisbane Racing Carnival race days and associated events, including Brisbane racing’s grand final – AAMI Stradbroke Day on June 12.

This follows last year’s announcement that Channel Seven and the BRC had entered into an agreement to televise the AAMI Stradbroke Handicap and Channel Seven Queensland Derby live.

Chairman of the Brisbane Racing Club, Kevin Dixon, said Formica embodied attributes that are the “perfect fit” for the Brisbane Racing Carnival brand.

“Sofie is the perfect fit to promote Brisbane’s racing Carnival. She has a warm and engaging personality and a love for all things Queensland, which our customers will respond well to.

“Sofie also displays a natural beauty and sense of style, making her a wonderful fashion role model for racing this Winter,” said Mr Dixon.

Sofie said, ““The Brisbane Racing Carnival is a perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, wear fabulous clothes and enjoy one of our countries favourite pastimes. Everyone loves the atmosphere at the track whether you are a professional punter or not.”

Other Channel Seven presenters will be attending the carnival’s rich program of events and race days.

On the 21^st of January I had the opportunity to travel to the Hong Kong Jockey Club. This two week trip was the prize for winning the Australian Racecourse Managers Association Steriline Scholarship. For two fantastic weeks I was shown every aspect of racing in Hong Kong, from track preparation and venue management, to the many charities they are involved in.

The Jockey Club consists of two racecourses with Happy Valley Racecourse being the original Racecourse in Hong Kong. Happy Valley has been reconstructed and now provides a great venue for all racing, including night racing on Wednesdays, Sunday racing and hosting international races such as the International Jockeys Championship. The track is 1417 meters in circumference, 30.5 meters wide and is a couch grass base, over sowed with ryegrass in the winter.

Sha Tin was opened in 1978 and is one of the most up-to-date and well-equipped racecourses in the world.  There are modern air conditioned stables, complete with closed-circuit television security. There is accommodation for about 1200 horses with some 300-350 horses brought in annually to maintain this population level. The racecourse features the world’s longest diamond vision screen which stretches 70.4 meters and the world’s first retractable roof over their parade ring. An American Dirt track, similar to the one at Eagle Farm, is used for both trials and races. The course proper is 1899 meters in circumference, 30.5 meters wide and is couch grass over sowed with ryegrass.

During my time at the Jockey Club, I was privy to seeing just how expansive and progressive the club is. The Honk Kong Jockey Club itself controls all facets of operations. In relation to racing in Queensland, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is the Racing Clubs, Boards, Totes and Bookies, molded into one progressive, highly efficient organization. The annual turnover exceeds HK$70 billion from betting alone, of which more than HK$8.5 Billion is contributed as Horse Racing Betting Duty to the Government. The Club is the largest single taxpayer in Hong Kong and contributes more than a HK$1 Billion to charities and community projects, which makes it among the top 20 US philanthropic foundations.

Horse trainers at the Jockey Club are entitled to benefits such as staff administration, the provision of fodder and training facilities - All of these services plus the facilities are provided to the free of charge. Trainers are paid a monthly fee of HK$600 per horse and 9.2% of all prize money won.  All employees of the club including ground staff, administration staff, catering staff, trainers, stewards, track riders, jockeys and stable hands are provided accommodation by the Jockey Club at Happy Valley and Sha-Tin. The Jockey Club even has its own television production studio at Happy Valley where the weekly racing shows are produced.

Unfortunately this short report does not even come close to putting my time at The Club into context, but what struck me was the absolute pride for the Hong Kong Jockey Club that all of its employees demonstrated in their attitudes to and of their work.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Brisbane Racing Club CEO, Stephen Ferguson and the entire Board of Directors for allowing me the time to undertake this fantastic opportunity.

Seventeen year old local top jockey Tim Bell set the hearts of aptly named Rare Diamond’s connections racing, as the combination coasted home to the Mare’s third consecutive win in the 1600m Race 1 on Saturday. Trainer Gordon Yorke suggested the mare is now headed for a spell, in preparation for a return to black type races in the winter.

Eagle Farm Trainer Kelly Schweida may just have unearthed another potential star, with Larry Cassidy riding Unsupervised to a comfortable win in the 1200m Race 6.
Click here for the full list of Saturday’s results

           
1. Daniel waves to the crowd with his brides in the backdrop  
2. And they’re off and racing at Eagle Farm


          
3. Rebecca snags Daniel on the home straight at Eagle Farm  
4. Labby, Stav, Daniel, Rebecca and Camilla following the show stopping race

Don’t miss the next feature raceday, The Good Guys Girls’ Day Out on Saturday March 27th!

 The Bookie’s Club, established in 1941, recently sold its Wharf Street premises and had been searching for a new Club home.

 QBC Secretary, Chris Mullins, said the racetracks were a logical choice of venue for Bookie’s Club members to gather, socialize and have a punt.

 “The Bookie’s Club was formed as an offshoot to the past Queensland Turf Club’s St Leger and Flat Bookmaker’s Association so it seems only natural the Bookie’s Club will now call Eagle Farm and Doomben home.

Brisbane Racing Club Chief Executive, Stephen Ferguson, is pleased Bookie’s Club members will be enjoying the races as their new home.

“We look forward to seeing Bookie’s Club members at the track each week, continuing a proud Queensland tradition of more than 60 years standing,” said Mr Ferguson.

As part of the new arrangement, the QBC will sponsor the Quality Handicap (Fillies & Mares) 1615 metre race at Doomben this Saturday, October 3

For all media enquiries:

Pru Harris                                                                               

Promotions & Communications Manager                                

Brisbane Racing Club                                                             

0407 523 486                                                                            

Listed below are the meetings to be transferred:

• Wednesday, October 21, 2009 – Transferred to Gold Coast Turf Club (GCTC)
• Wednesday, October 28, 2009 – Transferred to Toowoomba Turf Club (TTC)

 QRL chief operations manager, Malcolm Tuttle said similar renovation work has been used successfully at Doomben for the past six (6) years, with excellent results.

“There are a number of stages for this method of renovation which will be undertaken using rail movements across the entire course proper and resulting in the transfer of only two (2) mid-week meetings,” he said.

The stages are as follows:

• Thatching track
• Coring track
• Mow track from 4.5 inches to 2 inches which will remove thatch material and cores
• Deep tyne track
• Top dress with 10 to 15mm of a medium grade washed sand
• Apply nutrition and water

“The results from this method should improve turf strength, create increased root development, develop new stolons and rhizomes in the Kikuyu and improve soil infiltration and soil aeration,” said Mr Tuttle.

QRL and the BRC have also agreed to trial some remedial work on the grass training tracks at both Eagle Farm and Doomben. Once the results of this work can be measured, QRL and the BRC will review its effectiveness and will develop a more substantial works plan for the Eagle Farm course proper to be appropriately integrated into the 2010/11 racing schedule. QRL has agreed to provide funding for this initiative with its newly appointed racetrack development manager, Mr Warren Williams, to be responsible for the works.

In addition to the above work, QRL and the BRC have also agreed to relocate three (3) mid-week meetings leading into the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival. These dates and the revised venues are listed below:

• Friday, April 30, 2010 – Transferred to Toowoomba Turf Club
• Wednesday, May 19, 2010 – Transferred to Sunshine Coast Turf Club (course proper)
• Wednesday, June 16, 2010 – Transferred to the Gold Coast Turf Club

Listed are the revised programs for the October 2009 meetings, relocated to the Gold Coast (GCTC) and Toowoomba (TTC):

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 – GCTC

Class 5 Hcp                                  $13,000 – 1800m

Class 4 Hcp                                  $13,000 – 1300m

Class 3 C,G&E Hcp                      $13,000 – 1400m

Class 3 F&M Hcp                         $13,000 – 1400m

Maiden Plate SW                          $13,000 – 2200m

Maiden Hcp                                  $13,000 – 1000m

3YO C&G Maiden Hcp                 $13,000 – 1200m

3YO Fillies Maiden Hcp                $13,000 – 1200m

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 – TTC

Class 4 Hcp                                  $13,000 – 1625m

Class 4 Hcp                                  $13,000 – 1000m

Class 3 C,G&E Hcp                      $13,000 – 1300m

Class 3 F&M Hcp                         $13,000 – 1300m

Maiden Hcp                                  $13,000 – 1300m

Maiden Plate                                 $13,000 – 1200m

3YO C&G Maiden Plate SW        $13,000 – 1000m

3YO Fillies Maiden Plate SW       $13,000 – 1000m

“Despite the 2009/10 racing program being agreed, we have been able to reach agreement for works to occur on the Eagle Farm course proper this year with the likelihood of more substantial works to be undertaken after the 2010 Queensland Winter Racing Carnival but before the end of that calendar year,” said Mr Tuttle.

BRC chairman, Mr Kevin Dixon commented, “This two-stage plan will not only improve the racing surface for the 2010 Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, it will also give the course proper greater longevity allowing increased flexibility in respect of its further development as part of the overarching master plan.”

Ends.

For further information contact QRL senior communications officer Hollie Roberts on 07 3869 9760 or BRC chairman Kevin Dixon on 0419 706 354.