Huge crowd celebrates century of grassfed racing at Kooroorinya

Stories abounded as families settled in to huts that have seen generations of friendly rivalry and country hospitality, from the days when horses were walked in from properties hundreds of kilometres away and all activities were conducted under canvas.

One of those was trainer Tracy Leake, whose family colours have been racing continually at Kooroorinya for over 80 years.

She was happily carrying on the tradition set by her grandfather and father, and was one of the 600 people catered for, for the centenary dinner taking place at the conclusion of two days of racing.

That was on top of 400 for breakfast that morning, and similar numbers the day before, all taking place 65 kilometres south of Prairie, outside of mobile phone access.

It was a huge undertaking for caterers Cuisine to Go, based in Townsville, who spent months organising meal ingredients and quantities, the equipment to cook with, refrigeration, and transportation.

Their 10 staff travelled out in stages over three days, ensuring a back-up plan was in place for the things that were left behind.

In this case it was rice and gravy.

It’s the third time the company has catered at Kooroorinya, and head chef Sharon Cameron said they came back because of the wonderful community they worked with.

As well as two full days of racing, there were plenty of opportunities to celebrate all that is good about grassfed racing in the bush.

K100 – written by Paul Martinez

There’s a picnic race meet yearly, down past Prairie way

Where every sort of person becomes different for a day

They call it Kooroorinya, even Oakley to a few

It’s a true blue Aussie outing, sometimes a bit askew

-

So here’s the place, with plenty of space

Close to a part-time river

Where donkeys go at their own warm pace

So shower time has no shiver

-

As part of the plan to improve the land

Dancing and dining halls were built

With shady trees, the ladies to please

Essential cover, like a Scotsman’s kilt

-

Lesser mortals would be in tears, providing tucker for 100 years

But community puts hunger in her place

With tea from hot billies, and cold drinks to make you silly

Enough to create much fun, but rarely any disgrace

-

Committees with all their gear count more than countless beers

Soon outback yards appear with a judge’s shack

From time to time the Almighty blesses things unsightly

With drenching rain to green a dried out track

-

Few aeroplanes can glory or revel in the story

Of landing on a grassfed racing straight

Nor scenes of kids’ delight, spurred on by such a flight

Every lolly contested with every mate

-

Then there’s owners and there’s trainers, jockeys and fence strainers

They put on this outsized picnic where all gather round to meet

A rolling start to show, when fine horses have to go

Their fastest, a stop-watch judge to be the first to greet

-

Remember, there’s a starter, very much a martyr

With many many others of his ilk

They put the show on yearly, with time and effort weary

So we all think it goes as smooth as silk

-

This story has no end, because at every bend

There is always another stanza to include

The gauntlet is thrown to you, to add a verse or two

After that which happens now, which is conclude.