Nearly a century of country racing tradition returns to the New England North West next month, with the Wean Picnic Races set to draw racegoers from across the region and beyond for what organisers promise will be their biggest and best year yet.
The Wean Amateur Picnic Races will be held on Saturday, 11 July at the Wean Racecourse on Rangari Road, with gates opening from 9:30 am and six races scheduled across the day. This year’s event marks the 96th running of a meeting that has become one of the most enduring bush race days in New South Wales.
President Robert Groth said preparations were well underway, with the committee having completed a major upgrade to the racecourse infrastructure ahead of the event.
“We’ve actually pulled the inside running rail down, totally replaced it with a brand new one,” said Mr Groth. “And put a new outside running rail right down the outside. So yeah, that part’s been excellent.”
This year’s theme is Christmas in July, an idea that has already caught on with local businesses looking for a different way to celebrate the festive season.
“A lot of businesses around here, it’s sort of getting overrun with Christmas parties and it’s up to six weeks out for Christmas,” said Mr Groth. “So we thought, well, we’ll try Christmas in July, and yeah, a lot of the businesses love it. They’re just going to have their Christmas parties at the races.”
Racegoers are welcome to dress up for the theme, though Mr Groth said it was entirely optional. There is, of course, Fashions on the Field, with prizes to be won for both themed and classic dress.
The Christmas spirit will extend well beyond the horses, with the day’s program to include a reindeer race after the main card wraps up around 4 pm. Participants purchase a reindeer suit and either run themselves or nominate an employee, with businesses also able to buy their reindeer back in a Calcutta.
“It’s a great crowd pleaser,” said Mr Groth.
There will also be jumping castles and a mechanical bucking bull on site for younger racegoers, along with what Mr Groth described as “really good food” and a fully licensed bar operating throughout the day. Presentations for the horses are also part of the day’s programme.
Mr Groth said the atmosphere was the thing that kept people coming back year after year, with racegoers travelling from as far as Port Macquarie to attend.
“The atmosphere is exceptional,” said Mr Groth. “It’s just a country atmosphere. We’re out of town, it’s set in the bush scenery, and people just love to get out there and enjoy the day.”
He said the social side of the event was just as important as the racing itself, with some visitors making the trip simply to catch up with familiar faces.
“I’ve got a few that I’ve come to the races just to be able to say g’day,” said Mr Groth.
New this year is an arrangement with a nearby caravan park, giving those who want to make a weekend of it somewhere to stay after the races. “Anyone that wants to bring the caravans or utes or whatever and camp the night after, they can slip just up the road and walk into power and showers and that sort of thing,” said Mr Groth.
Buses will run to the event from Narrabri and Baan Baa. The service departs the Narrabri Visitor Information Centre at 10:30 am, Pirate Park Playground at 10:40 am, and Baan Baa Pub at 11:15 am, returning from the racecourse at 6:00 pm. Bus tickets must be purchased separately from race entry.
The event is entirely volunteer-run, and Mr Groth acknowledged the significant effort that goes into staging it each year.
“A lot of people don’t realise how many hours a lot of people put into something like that,” said Mr Groth. “But it’s for the good of the community, and you’ve got to be prepared to do a bit for your community.”
Anyone interested in volunteering does not need to join the committee. “They can come out and say g’day and do a bit of work or whatever,” said Mr Groth. Working bees are announced via the Wean Races Facebook page.
Tickets are available online at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/railwayhotelgunnedah/2112208, with options including a Premium Marquee Package for groups of ten wanting a reserved racecourse-side position, or General Admission. Gate sales will also be available at $25 per person, with cash preferred. Those planning to participate in the Calcutta are encouraged to bring cash on the day.
Something going on in your part of the New England people should know about? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@netimes.com.au