Ipswich club’s operating surplus in challenging times for racing

The Ipswich Turf Club has recorded an operational profit despite the high level of business disruption to the club throughout the past year.

Ipswich race 2 winner Get Set, ridden by Baylee Nothdurft. Picture: Claire Power

Ipswich racing

Claire Power
The Ipswich Turf Club has recorded an operational profit despite the high level of business disruption to the club throughout the past year.

However, according to ITC chairman Wayne Patch who presented to the members his 20th Annual Report, the community is a long way from enjoying the business freedoms we were once accustomed to.

“While 2020 was certainly an extraordinary year it appears that in many ways the new life that we have transitioned to has actually become the new norm at least for the foreseeable future,” Patch said.

“However, in spite of these ongoing operational challenges the club still managed to produce an operating surplus for the financial year.

“Undoubtedly the return of our key event, the Ipswich Cup, was once again the primary driver of that outcome.

Chairman Patch highlighted to members the inconsistency of race day allocation to the ITC is significantly impeding its capacity to market racing and improve the utilisation of the facilities at the Club.

“This has a detrimental impact on a wide range of racing, sponsorship and financial opportunities for the club,” Patch said.

“All other race clubs in SEQ are allocated over 90 per cent of their race dates on either one or two consistent days per week throughout the year whereas the ITC is allocated an inconsistent assortment of dates spread across a variety of five days,” Patch said.

Ipswich Turf Club chairman Wayne Patch after the club's latest AGM. Picture: Claire Power

Patch said the club’s future has never looked brighter.

“Our venue is no longer simply recognised as the Ipswich Turf Club it is now also the Ipswich Events and Entertainment Centre giving the city new opportunities to host exhibitions, conferences and gala events on a scale not possible before,” Patch said.

“We have a proud history, a viable plan for the future, with a racing product and venue that is second to none.”

Race 2 Ipswich winner Get Set, ridden by Baylee Nothdurft and trained by the Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted stable. Picture: Claire Power

History in the making

Ipswich punters perhaps witnessed history today with two winning full siblings and both trained by the Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted stable and ridden by Baylee Nothdurft.

Better Get Set and Thatfeelsbetter are both by Better Than Ready and out of Ridolfi, a Fastnet Rock mare.

Race 5 Ipswich winner Thatfeelsbetter, ridden by Baylee Nothdruft and trained by Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted. Picture: Claire Power

Four-year-old Better Get Set looked every bit the winner.

The mare recorded an easy two and a half length win ahead of the fillies and mares Benchmark 68 handicap 1200m field, ridden by former Ipswich premiership apprentice Nothdurft.

She was certainly the punters favourite at $1.13 for the win.

The combination then followed up with a win in the QTIS three-year-old maiden 1200m with the talented three-year-old Thatfeelsbetter.

Raising awareness for mental health

The Ipswich Turf Club has earmarked October as Mental Health Awareness month with the team planning a host of activities.

The club will support This Is A Conversation Starter (TIACS) Foundation throughout the campaign hoping to raise awareness and funds.

The TIACS connects individuals, particularly blue-collar workers with free qualified counselling services.

Throughout the month, the ITC team will be donning the brightly coloured This Is A Conversation Starter shirts developed by TIACS parent company TradeMutt to help kick start some chatter.

The campaign will conclude with the This Is A Conversation Starter Race Day on Wednesday, October 27.

Tickets are $70 per person with $10 going directly to TIACS Foundation.

Visit www.ipswichturfclub.com.au for further information.