ROMA CUP ...........................pages

Many race fans in Queensland have the annual Roma Cup on their wish list. Pictures: KATARINA SILVESTER PHOTOGRAPHY ROMA

Cup Day lights up Roma

By Fiona Gowers

Country race meetings epitomise the bush and the annual Roma Cup is one that most racing fans in Queensland have on their wish list.

The population of the small town in the Downs region swells on Cup weekend each year, with punters coming from all over the Sunshine State to be at Bassett Park.

Those from the bush - out further west than Roma - mix with city slickers from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, who also travel to the town.

Peter Flynn, who has been a country race caller just shy of 50 years, said the Roma Cup gave the town a “significant boost”, with all motels, campgrounds and caravan parks full.

“From a racing point of view, all of these country race meetings add to the fabric of our society. Each one of them is extremely important,” he said.

“And, something we don’t emphasize enough is the mental health benefit.

“Although cattle prices are good now and we’ve got some green grass around, in drought times it’s somewhere these guys can go and see their friends and forget about things for 24 hours.

“It’s crucial.” Speaking after the Cup at the Roma Turf Club, Mr Flynn, who has seen the highs and lows of racing in the region, said it was currently as strong as ever.

He said the general public’s growing interest and increased prize money had underpinned the industry’s rise.

“Racing at the moment is booming in this area.

“For example, at St George earlier last month, they had a six-race program which had $73,000 in prize money on offer. Similar recent meetings at Mitchell, Surat and Morven have all raced for about that sort of money.

“They had excellent support at St George that day from, not just the racing industry, but also from locals turning up to race days – there have been big crowds.

“The locals are looking for somewhere to go, Covid has had them sitting at home and now they are out supporting the clubs.”

Veteran Roma trainer Wayne Baker said increased prize money and new stables being built at Bassett Park were positives for the industry.

A stable upgrade has recently been completed, with 42 new stalls being built on course at Roma with much more space and comfort for gallopers at the track.

“Racing is going well at the moment,” said Mr Baker, who learnt his trade from Brisbane trainer Barry Baldwin.

“The prize money has gone up a little bit and the new stables and barns are great.

“The Roma Turf Club has done well; they have put in a new walker and other things we need. They are great facilities.”

Former jockey Jessikah-Lee Brand, who is now a track work rider and trainer, said there was a close-knit racing community at Roma and throughout the surrounding towns.

Kate McAuley, Trisha Parker and Glenys Hughes. Monique Rashford, Roma.