2017 WEETWOOD OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED
The Toowoomba Turf Club today officially launched the 2017 Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood, Toowoomba’s most prestigious racing event on Saturday April 8.
The Audi Centre Toowoomba was again affirmed as the major partner and it was only fitting the local dealership showcased the reveal of events associated with this year’s Weetwood carnival.
In addition to the time-honoured Weetwood raceday, the Toowoomba Turf Club (TTC) announced that it will again deliver a week of festivities – “Weetwood Week” – that exhibits all things great about this city’s long-standing community event.
Weetwood Week will tee off on Saturday April 1 with the Weetwood Gala – “Toowoomba’s social evening of the year” – a luxurious evening at Clifford Park benefiting local powerhouse charity, It’s A Bloke Thing.
The Ladbrokes Weetwood Golf Day will take place on Monday, April 3, where players can mix it with the stars of Weetwood at the City Golf Club. The 18-hole four-person Ambrose event also features a chance to win an Audi vehicle with a hole-in-one on a selected hole.
The following morning, on Tuesday April 4, Clifford Park will host the annual Breakfast with the Weetwood Stars. This free community event will enable guests to soak up all the trackside action, while watching the Weetwood stars complete their final track gallop and the opportunity to rub shoulders with the trainers and jockeys. The Browns Office Choice Weetwood School Colour Competition will also be judged across the 11 Darling Downs-based primary schools that have participated in the annual Weetwood in the Community initiative.
The Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood Barrier Draw will be held on Wednesday April 5 at CBD dining hotspot The Walton Stores and is a must-attend event for those with a passion for racing, as the barriers are drawn that could determine the fate of the Weetwood contenders.
The traditional Weetwood Racing Mass will be carried out the same evening, Wednesday April 5, with Father McGinley, who will bless the track, horses, jockeys and trainers in the lead-up to Weetwood.
On the eve of Toowoomba’s premier raceday, the revamped and much-anticipated Ladbrokes Weetwood Calcutta Sportsman’s Lunch will be conducted at Clifford Park, featuring legendary Queensland footballer Alfie Langer as guest speaker. Guests will also have the chance to draw the winner of the 2017 Audi Centre Weetwood Handicap while enjoying a “long lunch” with mates.
All the associated Weetwood Week events culminate on Saturday April 8, with the city’s annual social event, the Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood.
TTC Chief Executive Officer Blair Odgers felt the launch provided an in-depth snapshot of what the community can expect for the 2017 Weetwood carnival.
“The Weetwood is a community event and we have ensured the raceday and associated Weetwood events encompass everyone – from our newest racing enthusiasts, through to our most seasoned followers.
“We encourage the community to embrace all things Weetwood and appreciate one of the longest sprint handicaps in Australia, an achievement that, as a community, we should be very proud of,” Mr Odgers said.
Ticketing and hospitality packages are on sale and can be viewed by visiting www.weetwood.com.au.
