Emma Pritchard
The Clarence River Jockey Club (CRJC) welcomed more than 8000 racegoers trackside during the 2022 XXXX July Winter Racing Carnival last month, and while CRJC Chief Executive Officer Michael Beattie revealed numbers were lower than expected this year, he was extremely happy with the atmosphere at the race meetings as punters flicked through form guides in search of winners, fashionistas proudly modelled their finest outfits, and some of the country’s leading trainers and jockeys competed in the feature events on the program.
Over 400 thoroughbreds jumped from the barriers between July 3 and 17, with the track surface improving steadily from a Heavy 8 to a Soft 6 before being upgraded to a Good 4 ahead of the final day of the carnival.
Mr Beattie acknowledged the “amazing efforts” of Track Manager Drew Cookson for producing a great racing surface after the club hosted an increased number of race meetings prior to the carnival.
He was also pleased to reveal CRJC memberships had increased significantly in the lead up to the event, adding it was great to see a larger number of younger adults at the track this year.
The club also trialled a new layout with the bookies ring during the carnival after Covid-19 restrictions during previous years altered the traditional settings.
While he admitted it would take time to see “the new normal” with regards to crowd numbers following the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Beattie said overall he was pleased with how the carnival progressed this year and was happy to see racegoers enjoying themselves at the track.
“It was great to see trainers who have been here before continue to support the carnival and send their horses to Grafton,” he said.
“We also had great assistance from local trainers to accommodate visiting horses, and it was also great to see local trainers and jockeys enjoy success during the races this year.”
Grafton trainer John Shelton won the 2022 Trainer of the Carnival after he produced two smart winners in Awesome Miss and War Lady.
2022 Jockey of the Carnival was awarded to Ben Looker, who rode 6 winners from 32 rides, including Bold Contender (NZ) who claimed the 2022 Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup Quality Prelude over 2350m.
Looker said he enjoys returning to Grafton every year to ride during the carnival and will definitely come back for the event in 2023.
The CRJC will host their next race meeting on August 15.