HORSES and jockeys geared up to race on the Beaudesert Race Club track for the only Anzac Day meet across south-east Queensland.
There were eight traditional horse races and $15,000 worth of prize money up for grabs on April 25 with no promises of a repeat of last year’s pig races in sight.
The club held pig races instead of calling it quits on last year’s Anzac Day after the track sustained more than $1.2 million in damage during the 2017 March floods.
Racegoers from across south-east Queensland were enjoying the festivities, placing bets and wearing their finest fascinators, dresses and suits for the occasion.
Despite the rain in the morning, it did not deter crowds from coming through the gates and horses and jockeys racing on a wet track.
Beaudesert Race Club treasurer Matthew Ahrens said this was the busiest race meet he had seen in town, drawing crowds from across the south-east.
“The car park is the fullest we’ve ever seen it,” he said.
“Everyone is very eager to get back into the horses since last year’s pig races and the great weather had certainly helped.”
Mr Ahrens said crowds at the club’s race days continued to grow each year.
Horse Rocky Nugget, Beaudesert trainer Greg Cornish and jockey Andrew Spinks won the sixth race and local horse Alfie Junior, Beaudesert trainer Ben Robinson and jockey Brooke Ainsworth placed third in the fourth race.
Beaudesert Race Club’s next race meets will be held on June 5 and will be followed by Beaudesert Cup Day on June 23.