01-05-2025
Geraldton Turf Club host final meet of successful 2024-25 racing season
The Geraldton Turf Club is preparing to host its final meet of a very successful 2024-25 season, with healthy attendance numbers and a track that held together for 20 meets.
Club president Brian O'Dwyer said the season was a success as the club overcame issues on the track to turn in one of its best Geraldton Cup days in recent history.
'This season was a very successful one on and off the track,' he said.
'Attendance numbers were great throughout the season, in particular our bigger days — Walkaway Cup, Ladies Day, Melbourne Cup Day and Geraldton Cup Day.
'Seeing young people still enjoying racing means we can look forward to the future and to see them attending our meets is really good to see for the sport here.'
The club's biggest hurdle in 2024-25 was when the aged irrigation system blew on a handful of occasions, leaving it walking on eggshells as they continued with the season, postponing only one meet.
With Labor backflipped on funding to upgrade infrastructure close to the State election, the turf club was forced think of a Plan B, but Labor reversed its decision after many clubs spoke out in protest.
O'Dwyer said all things considered, to come out the other side relatively unscathed was lucky but also a show of the strength of the community in racing.
'We faced those challenges only a matter of weeks before the Geraldton Cup,' he said.
'To be able to produce the track that we did for our biggest day of the year, given our circumstances only a matter of weeks beforehand, was pleasing to see.
'The racing community rallied to get that funding back and we did, which is pleasing for us, knowing that the racing community are behind us.'
Now the focus shifts to the club's last meet of the year this Sunday as the 20-meet season draws to a close.
Race of the day looks to be race six, with Jockey of the Year at Geraldton and Provincial Jockey of the year Tash Faithfull headlining proceedings on board Ron Cowl's Sanabeau.
Julia Martin and jockey Kristy Bennett join forces once more to round off the season with Miff Muffered Moof, who has continued to be one to look out for over the middle distances.
Gordon Spowart's Skittish runs out of a favorable barrier three with Troy Turner taking the reins. Another jockey who has proven his worth this season on the Geraldton track is Austin Galati, who will be racing with trainer Kevin Mahoney on Kentucky Blue out of barrier two.
Entry is free, with the gates opening at noon on Sunday.
