DARREN GAUCI GUEST AT 2017 LADBROKES RACING AWARDS
CHAMPION former jockey Darren Gauci will feature as guest speaker at this year’s 2016-17 Ladbrokes Racing Awards.
This year’s awards night, to be held on Saturday, September 16, will recognise the outstanding racing achievements from the Toowoomba Turf Club’s 2016-17 racing season.
TTC Chairman Kent Woodford said the club was excited to bring Gauci to Toowoomba.
“Darren Gauci is a legend of Australian horse racing. He retired earlier on this year and, at one time, was Australia’s most sought-after jockey. He also had great success in Hong Kong.
“Darren now works as an apprentice jockey coach for Racing Victoria and we couldn’t be happier that he’s able to attend our Awards night to share some great stories from his stellar career.”
Mr Woodford said the 2016-17 racing season concluded at the end of July and the Clifford Park premiership winners were confirmed after the final race meeting on July 22.
It was no surprise that the Premiership winning trainer was Ben Currie. Currie beat his nearest trainer opponent by over 40 wins. In a shock result, the Queen of Clifford Park, Skye Bogenhuber, was overtaken in the final weeks of the racing season by Beau Appo and flashy apprentice jockey Baylee Nothdurft will also be awarded.
The Ladbrokes TTC Racing Awards will celebrate the premiership winners, plus a handful of other industry awards for exceptional achievements at Clifford Park, including the 2016/17 Premiership Horse of the Year and the Toowoomba Horse of the Year.
Top achievers will be recognised in the following categories;
• Premiership Horse of the Year – sponsored by Ladbrokes
• Toowoomba Horse of the Year – sponsored by Ladbrokes
• Industry Contributor – sponsored by M&K Constructions
• Young Achiever – sponsored by Cracker Print & Paper
• Strike Rate Trainer – sponsored by Crowe Horwath
• Strike Rate Owner – sponsored by K & R Plumbing Supplies
• Bookmakers Award – sponsored by TTC Bookmakers Pat Kynoch and Paul Klein
• Apprentice Jockey of the Year – sponsored by Hannas Toowoomba
• Premiership Owner of the Year – sponsored by Trackside Photography
• Premiership Jockey of the Year – sponsored by Pro-Clear
• Premiership Trainer of the Year – sponsored by Pryde’s EasiFeed
TTC Chief Executive Officer Blair Odgers encouraged the local community to attend Clifford Park’s night of nights and celebrate with our local sporting stars.
“Toowoomba should be extremely proud of what our local industry participants have not only achieved locally, but also at metropolitan and Group level – particularly Ben Currie, who won the state-wide training premiership, beating out former local Tony Gollan.
“Saturday, September 16 will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our top performers both on and off the track,” Mr Odgers said.
There is no racing on Saturday 16th September with the Clifford Park track undergoing its annual track renovation in time for the new racing season, including the annual Toowoomba Truck Spares Pat O’Shea Plate on Sunday, October 1.
The Ladbrokes TTC Racing Awards will commence at 6.30pm at the Cathedral Centre, 123 Neil Street, Toowoomba. Tickets are on-sale now and can be purchased by contacting the TTC Office on 07 4634 6066.
Tickets are available for purchase for $75 per person (non-Member) and $70 per person (Members).
