PHOTOS: Patrons dress to impress at Toowoomba’s Weetwood
The atmosphere was electric on Saturday when Toowoomba locals and out of towners arrived at Clifford Park for the region’s biggest racing meet – Weetwood. Click here to check out our bumper photo gallery.
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It’s considered Toowoomba’s largest racing meet of the year with many travelling from across the state to experience the Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood.
While the races usually stop patrons in their tracks, entrants in the Laser Clinic Australia’s Fashions of the Field parade were equally spellbinding.
Despite the strong competition, judges Norfords’ Abraham Slatter, Laser Clinic’s Amanda Thurbin, singer Samantha Jade and Married At First Sight Australia’s Jules Robinson, managed to select their top 10 finalists and three well-deserved winners.
Taking out the overall win was first-time entrant and soon-to-be mum Haylee Martel who travelled from her Forest Hill home to take part.
“I chose this dress because I could fit into it and I painted my shoes to match,” she said.
“Entering this competition was always something I wanted to do and I’m booked in for my caesarean in about a week and a half, so I just thought this could be my only chance.”
Meanwhile Gracyn Marsterson was awarded the First Runner-Up sash for her asymmetric dress which was made in Spain and stunning turquoise Millinery By Mel headwear.
Originally from the Cape York Pennisula, Ms Marsterson has been entering Fashions on the Field competitions since the age of 13 and had always planned to enter at Toowoomba’s Weetwood.
“My partner’s family are from Toowoomba so I do have a special connection to this area, even though I’m very allergic to flowers and usually get hayfever when I visit,” she said.
“I’m from a small country town where the races were always our biggest outing of the year, which is why I got into fashion.
“Winning runner-up is just the icing on the cake.”
Best headwear was awarded to Toowoomba’s Leigh Quinlan who paired a stunning contrast of blue and green shades.
The historical Weetwood event with more than 130 years in the making, overcame Covid-19 measures and restricted numbers in 2020, but has only flourished since with the reserved dining section selling out in record time in both 2021 and 2022.
Toowoomba Turf Club chief executive officer Lizzy King said it was exciting to welcome crowds into the venue which placed third in the 2022 commercial section of The Chronicle’s Garden Competition.
She said the event provided an “enormous benefit” to the community, with an economical impact study in 2016 revealing the event was worth about $1.2 million.
“After being locked away for so long, people are spending more and treating themselves, so this year we will have people heading through the crowd to do the same survey,” Ms King said.
“People come here from out of town and they need a hotel room, they grab something for lunch, they head to the retailers to buy shoes and hats, so the wonderful financial impacts this event brings are far-reaching.
“Having tickets available at the gate is a wonderful luxury we haven’t had for the last couple of years and we’re just thrilled to have everyone here at our award-winning gardens.”
Minister for Racing Grace Grace said while it was the AFL Grand Final on Saturday, Weetwood was “the place to be.”
“It is great to be here at Clifford Park in Toowoomba and we’re looking forward to a fantastic Weetwood carnival,” she said.
“Racing is such an integral part of country Queensland and (the state government is) very proud to support country racing and in particular, this great race meet today.
“Weetwood is like the grand final of racing up here on the Darling Downs.”
The day’s feature races - the Weetwood Handicap and Toowoomba Cup - were absolute thrillers.
Trainer Gary Duncan added to his growing trophy cabinet with a second straight win in the cup.
Duncan’s Seat of Power held of a fast-finishing Aussie Nuggett (Tony Golan) with just 0.1 length seperating the two horses.
“I thought we had it (the win) but you’re never really sure until you officially see it,” Duncan said.
“Going back to back is amazing.”
The winning margin in the Weetwood was slightly larger, 0.4 of a length, but the finish was no less thrilling.
Just a few months after going out on his own as a trainer - Jack Bruce has his first black type win.
Bruce’s Axe overcame an outside barrier draw to cut down a strong field in the Weetwood on Saturday.
“It’s a big result especially when you consider the work he (Axe) had to do from the outside barrier,” Bruce said.
“The tight finish was the result of all the work he had to do in the race after starting out wide but he toughed it out.”
Just 0.2 of a length seperated Axe and a fast-finishing Mass Destruction (Tony Gollan) with Garibaldi 0.4 of a length back in third.
Check out our bumper photo galleries here:
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