Crowds turned out in their droves for the Rocky Amateurs on Sunday at Callaghan Park with the favourite missing out on taking out the win in regional Queensland's top prized race, the Archer.
The favourite, Strait Acer, trained by Edward Cummings, the grandson of racing icon, Bart, just could not catch locally trained Namazu as it came down the straight.
In a race that had racegoers over the edge with excitement, Namazu, the six-year-old bay gelding owned by S and P Cheimardinov, PA Radford, and R Ramswarup, and trained by Ricky Vale, secured the win against a class field.
Among the special guests at this year's Rocky Amateurs was recently retired leading jockey Damien Oliver.
Mr Oliver, who was the guest speaker at the Rocky Amateurs' Calcutta on Friday night, said he had not visited Rockhampton since he appeared as a guest speaker at a pub 25 years ago.
"The last time I spoke here I was given a couple of mud crabs as payment, it was very nice," he said.
Mr Oliver said this weekend's visit had been great as the people had been so friendly and hospitable.
Judith Maizey
Judith Maizey has worked as a journalist and communications specialist for more than 30 years throughout Queensland and NSW. Working for Queensland Country Life, she is always up for a chat and loves a good story. Contact 0417 546 616. E: judith.maizey@queenslandcountrylife.com.au
Judith Maizey has worked as a journalist and communications specialist for more than 30 years throughout Queensland and NSW. Working for Queensland Country Life, she is always up for a chat and loves a good story. Contact 0417 546 616. E: judith.maizey@queenslandcountrylife.com.au
