2018 WEETWOOD OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED

The Toowoomba Turf Club today officially launched the 2018 Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood, Toowoomba’s most prestigious racing event on Saturday April 7.

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 Easter Monday, April 2, where players can mix it with the stars of Weetwood at the City Golf Club. The 18-hole four-person Ambrose event is always popular.

The following morning, on Tuesday April 3, Clifford Park will host the annual Breakfast with the Weetwood Stars – a great, free school holiday event. This 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 Darling Downs-based primary schools that have participated in the annual Weetwood in the Community initiative, plus a kids’ movie on the Wippells Autos Big Screen from 9am.

The Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood Barrier Draw will be held on Wednesday April 4 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 4, 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 much-anticipated UBET Weetwood Calcutta Sportsman’s Lunch will be conducted at Clifford Park, featuring two-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jim “Pumper” Cassidy and Queensland Origin hero Billy Moore as guest speakers. Guests will also have the chance to draw the winner of the 2018 Audi Centre Weetwood Handicap while enjoying a “long lunch” with mates.

All the associated Weetwood Week events culminate on Saturday April 7, 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 2018 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