After more than a decade in the racing wilderness – trotting is set to return to Toowoomba.
Toowoomba Turf Club’s infield track will be the new home of harness racing in 2026 after reforms laid out in the Queensland government’s report The Next Lap: A plan for the future of Queensland racing.
Harness racing enthusiasts will be hoping the review reinvigorates the once popular format after ‘one off’ racing events in 2021 and 2019 followed a decade-long absence of harness racing in the Garden City.
“It’s been far too long since harness racing had a permanent presence in the city, and this is a fantastic result for the local community,” Darling Downs Harness Racing Club committee member Anthony Collins said.
“Horses and Toowoomba go hand-in-hand and having harness racing re-established at the Toowoomba Turf Club will be a boon to Darling Downs breeders, trainers and owners, and will see the industry grow in regional Queensland.”
The Clifford Park move is part of the state government’s plan to establish a racing a new racing corridor from Toowoomba to Brisbane which include upgrades to Marburg Showgrounds and Albion Park Harness Racing Club.
Member for Toowoomba North and Assistant Minister to the Premier for Cabinet and Southwest Queensland Trevor Watts said he believed moving harness racing to Clifford Park would be a massive win for the region.
“Horses are synonymous with Toowoomba, which is why we will be hosting equestrian events at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Watts said.
“It is fantastic to have harness racing return to the Darling Downs.
“It’s a no-brainer to reinvigorate the Toowoomba Turf Club infield, and at the same time energise the local economy and give the community another great reason to come together, connect and enjoy themselves.”
