REAFFIRMING the strength of racing in rural Queensland, more than 2000 people turned out last weekend for the Charters Towers Amateurs race meeting.
Strong fields and close finishes added to the excitement of the social occasion, and in the field of fashion the meeting certainly was a gala affair.
Winners of the various sections, Cassandra McIntosh, Natalie Maxwell, Taelor Toomey and Trish Bellero, showed the women of the deep north are as much in touch with the world of fashion as the ladies of Flemington.
The photo-finish of the feature race, the Charters Towers Amateurs Cup, showed the Mark Elliott-ridden Kid Sunday won by a short half head from Oscar the Great, piloted by jockey Jeffrey Felix and Shining Charm with jockey Julie Murphy a half-length third. It was Mark Elliott's fourth win on the day.
Unlike the Cairns Amateurs which seems to be in a downturn, the Charters Towers Amateurs race meeting is still one of the most well attended and popular race meetings in North Queensland.
