Coonamble Times
21 September 2024, 7:40 AM
Come By Chance is busy preparing for its annual Picnic Races on Saturday 28 September.
Complete with fashion, face-painting, food, fireworks and foot races - plus a bar running until 11pm - Committee Secretary Jeremy Borowski said the family-friendly event is a fun way to support the local community.
"We have a small community with a very big heart that needs the support of the surrounding communities to make the effort, the time and the money that goes into keeping something like Come By Chance Races running worthwhile," Mr Borowski said.
"Without their support, without people’s patronage, then we can't hope to continue.
"Grab yourself a group of friends and come on down for a fantastic day out."
The committee is hoping for a crowd of around 700 people, with gates opening from 11:30am and the first race at 1:30pm.
Exact horse and jockey numbers are yet to be confirmed, but the organising committee expects six races, with a total prize pool of $49,000.
Horses won't be the only competitors on the day, with foot races taking place.
Competition for fashion in the field is expected to be strong, with prizes for the best dressed girls, ladies and men.
Fireworks will light the sky at around 7pm as night sets in, and there will be a live band fronted by local Maddie Warden.
The races will have EFTPOS, though cash is preferred.
Mr Borowski said the committee were working hard with Racing NSW to ensure the track is up to standard.
"Hopefully this is something we only have to do once, and then once we're up to scratch, it's a good foundation to ensure the success of future seasons," he said.
The race organisers made special mention of the sponsors which reached out with renewed support despite a sponsorship rollover last year, special thanks going to Rabobank, Geronimo Farm Equipment, MJC Plumbing, Nomadic Welding & Fabrication and this year's newest sponsor Greenoaks Agriculture.