While crowd numbers were down from 2015 those in attendance at the Townsville Amateurs race meeting held at Cluden Park on Saturday had a great day enjoying the thrill of the punt while having a blast with friends and family.
Since the very first race meeting was held in 1911, the Amateurs have faithfully reflected life in North and Western Queensland through good times and bad.
The club has a mix of town and country members and there has been a strong growth in the number of younger members in recent years, which ensures the carnival will maintain its status as a social and sporting icon for vast numbers of people throughout the state.
The meeting is also the culmination of the northern Winter Racing Carnival, which ensures that there are large numbers of quality horses available to race as was evidenced on the day with five of the seven races on the program decided by a length or less.
On the track Townsville trainer Garry Farrell's Lightenuff and jockey Adrian Coome snuck home by half a length to claim victory Adbri Masonry Hy-Tec Townsville Amateurs Cup Open Handicap.