There might have been 60 horses racing and a crowd of 350 but the biggest news at the Oakley Amateur Picnic Race Club on the weekend was the marriage proposal between two of the jockeys.
Moments after the Macintosh family from Longreach won their first ever race at Kooroorinya, on Saturday morning, Dave Owens got down on one knee as Amy Macintosh brought the successful horse, Sondringham, back to the scales.
Each has been among the winners circle on the grassfed circuit at western Queensland for a dozen years or so, making it a very special moment for those on hand.
Amy said she was in shock from the win when it happened.
"I was wondering, was he trying to help me off my horse," she said.
As well as winning a heart, Dave won the jockey's whip for the weekend, with John Dagan the second most successful jockey.
Cam and Sharon Tindall from Darr River Downs, Longreach, were the big race winners on the weekend, winning the bracelet on the first day and the cup on the second with Ballard Boy.
In a strange twist of fate, a horse called Ballard won the Cup in 1939, 80 years earlier.
Cam Tindall said Ballard Boy was a horse they'd purchased from John Kendall.
He said winning was part of the thrill and gave them bragging rights but the whole event was great to participate in.
After the 18 races, nine each day, Maurie and Anne Hicks won the waltzing competition, while Jake Brown and Annie Laube won the jiving dance.
Thanks to finally having good grass, the racing was described as exceptional.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
