TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB’S FLAGSHIP EVENT TO BE INCLUDED IN RACING QUEENSLAND’S 2020 NEW-LOOK SPRING CARNIVAL PROGRAM

TOOWOOMBA Turf Club and Racing Queensland have agreed to shift the club’s flagship event – the annual Weetwood race – to September 2020 as part of a significant shake up of Queensland’s calendar of feature race dates.

The agreement for the 2020 change was finalised between the club and RQ late last week, following speculation of a second Weetwood event this year.

TTC Chairman Kent Woodford said the decision to shift the region’s premier race day to the Spring would provide the opportunity to springboard the event onto the “national racing landscape”.

“Next September’s Weetwood will be featured in a new-look Queensland Spring Carnival – including other southeast Queensland clubs such as the Brisbane Racing Club, the Gold Coast Turf Club and the Tattersalls Racing Club.

“The Club has held consultation with Racing Queensland, Tourism and Events Queensland and the Toowoomba Regional Council, and is delighted to lock the schedule in for the second weekend of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers event in 2020,” Mr Woodford said.

TTC Chief Executive Officer Blair Odgers said Racing Queensland’s proposal for a Spring Carnival was well considered and provided for support for the first three years runnings of Weetwood in the Spring timeslot.

“We’ve secured a transition package and additional marketing support for the next three Weetwood events, which will ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of the region’s pinnacle racing event.

“The change will also provide the opportunity to grow our Weetwood Week of activities and link them with the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, to attract more visitors over the 10 days,” Mr Odgers said.