THE Ewan Amateur Turf Club, a professional racing club steeped in tradition, like many other individuals and companies within the severely drought stricken area of North Queensland, has been forced as a result of the ongoing dry conditions, to amend the format that has provided the Club with decades of successful uniqueness.
Following a recent inspection of the worsening drought conditions, in consultation with Racing Queensland, the Ewan Amateur Turf Club has advised that it has reluctantly removed the Club’s special condition of paddocking all horses for a period of 21 days prior to the annual two day race meeting.
This decision means that this year’s annual race meeting on September 19-20 will be a standard corn fed non-TAB meeting. The race program will remain as advertised but the date for nominations will be Tuesday, September 15; whilst the date for acceptances for both days will be September 17.
After almost 100 years of grass fed racing, the club has made this difficult decision after serious deliberation, on the understanding that the iconic Ewan meeting will be etched in the history books and replaced with a corn fed non-TAB meeting from this year forward.
The committee has resolved to work tirelessly to retain the true bush racing experience for this year and into the future.
President David Woodhouse has asked that all owners, trainers, jockeys, sponsors, donors, members and patrons continue their great support of the club to ensure that Ewan continues to provide a family friendly, community orientated and enjoyable bush racing weekend for many years to come.
“We say with confidence ‘Ewan’ the event will continue in the same vein as we have come to love,” Mr Woodhouse said.
“We are proud of the fact that this club has provided a platform for so many industry outsiders to get their first taste of a true country racing experience and we are committed to ensuring this continues,” he said.
“So please mark in your calendars September 19-20: EWAN, as there is no doubt it will be the place to be in September, not only this year, but for years to come.”
The club social and promotions director, Stacey Kirkwood said that even with the changes to the corn fed format, it is business as usual from the social point of view.
“We will provide the same genuine country hospitality, and continue to celebrate our bush racing heritage,” Ms Kirkwood said.
“This year also includes exciting changes to the Fashion on the Field segment, to encourage fervent, colourful competition on and off the racetrack,” she said.
Updated information regarding the changes may be obtained from the Ewan Turf Club website: www.ewanraces.com.au
