IN A perverse twist the annual Dingo Cup was washed out on August 24 despite crippling drought hitting Central Queensland.
Two of the scheduled events, including the feature Dingo Cup, were abandoned after the course proper was accidentally inundated and jockeys refused to rise citing safety concerns, according to a spokesman.
"We are devastated," spokesman Jeff Olive said.
"A lot of preparation went into the day and the place looked a picture. I haven't the official crowd figures but the talk was we had 1800 through the gate and that would be one of the bigger crowds.
"By all accounts the racegoers had a great time but we feel for the owners and trainers who had their horses ready for those races.
"We have only on meeting a year so our Cup won't be run this year."
Mr Olive said the inundation was an "unfortunate" accident.
"Because of the drought we've been irrigating the track to have it in good condition but after the first three races the jockeys were complaining of dust so we have a water truck go out for dust suppression.
"But somehow too much water was released."
Of the three events contested, two were won by Rockhampton-based trainers Kevin Miller and Tony McMahon and the other by Roma mentor Wayne Baker.
The Baker-trained Ivy Love, ridden by Emma Bell, won the opening race, the Whitehorse Group Benchmark 60 Handicap (900m).
Mark Barnham was aboard Miller's Absolute Bonza, a comfortable winner by three and three-quarter lengths of the Jellinbah Mining Class B (900m). Absolute Bonza set a record of 52.21 seconds (manually timed).
In the Central Highlands Regional Council Maiden (900m), Elyce Smith rode Only Emma to an effortless win. Only Emma scored by nearly four lengths over Hump de Bump.