Towers Jockey Club back and racing

By Jordan Gerrans

The entire Charters Towers community is buzzing to get back to their local track with a big crowd anticipated for the return to racing this Saturday.

The Towers Jockey Club has gone through extensive redevelopment work in recent years and is back on the racing calendar with a five event non-TAB program.

Through the Country Racing Program, the Towers club was funded to complete upgrades of its track and facilities including drainage works to the track, resurfacing of the track and an irrigation upgrade.

Towers Jockey Club secretary Sally Kirkwood is anticipating a sizeable crowd to be on hand this Saturday.

“It has been a long journey since we have raced but the thing that has kept the committee going is that we would eventually arrive at where we are now,” Kirkwood said.

“We are back racing at a fantastic facility and a wonderful track.

“We feel we may have a few teething issues with the track but it will be able to settle.

“The town is beside themselves to be back racing, everyone cannot wait and we are very excited.

“We are expecting a massive crowd on Saturday.

"We are working around the clock to present the track in the best possible condition."

As well as the redevelopments to the track and racing facilities, a brand new community events centre has been built at the club since the last time they raced.

Saturday’s program will be the first time the community events centre will be utilised on a race day.