Outback legend Fred Brophy and connections were cashing in when their seven-year-old gelding Cashing Up won the first of the cups on offer in the 2019 Simpson Desert racing carnival, taking out the Betoota Cup on Saturday.
Cashing Up is trained by South Australia's Kym Healy, one of the owners along with CL Healy, Fred and S Brophy, PR Hocken, NF Clark and RS Austin, and was ridden by Cec Eaton from Brisbane.
Club president Henning Kath described the race meeting as a magnificent day, attended by over 400.
"There was a good mix of town and country, not bad for a town with a population of zero," he said.
The meeting raced 41 horses in advance of the Birdsville Races later this week, and the other favourite race winner was Channel Country legend John Ferguson, who won the Santos Open with Cambooya Rock.
"The fashions were stunning as well," Mr Kath said. "The colour that the ladies bring to this lonely little outpost makes the heart sing."
The day's auction raised $9000, which will be put back into the grounds already becoming acclaimed for its improvements, much of it thanks to support from the Diamantina Shire Council.
The Mick Gibson Pastoral Company is now the proud owner of an image of Winx, signed by jockey Hugh Bowman, paying $1900 when it came up for auction.
Supporters travelled from far and wide, including the crew from Oakey Beef.
Mr Kath paid tribute to the club's volunteers, who'd done everything from painting to barwork to make the weekend a success.
Fashions on the Field winners:
- Best dressed lady and best millinery - Josie Butler
- Best dressed couple - Trumby and Sophie Hoare
- Best dressed man - Trumby Hoare
- Best dressed boy - Tommy Austin
- Best dressed girl - Emily Morton
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.
