General News
15 November, 2026
Race week was a sure bet
LIKE every year around this time, the festive season is approaching at a rapid rate of knots, with activities starting to ramp up on everyone’s social calendars.
This last week has been a great example, firstly with the ‘race that stops the nation’, followed by the race that doesn’t quite have such an impact but at least trebles the population of Cooktown. Of course, I am talking about the Cooktown Cup.
For the third year, I have had the privilege of hosting the Tin Shed Melbourne Cup Day, which offered a great lunch, plus numerous prizes including the best dressed and best fascinator.
All of this was enjoyed by a large gathering on the main deck, entertained, for the second year, by music from local muso Lucia.
For many locals, getting ‘on the punt’ is a weekly activity, so it was not surprising that large numbers made the trek north for the 152nd Cooktown Cup.
Visitors came from the Douglas Shire, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Tablelands, plus further afield, many of whom made the historic town home for the weekend.
Once again, for me, a favourite part of the weekend is that ‘Outback Australia’ feel driving along the Mulligan Highway.
Apart from some amazing scenery, the long road provides the opportunity to stop off at some great venues, such as the historic Lion’s Den for refreshments.
For those, including myself, who arrived early at the racecourse on Saturday morning, it was evident that everyone was in for a very warm day. Rumours of a heatwave were clearly proven to be correct with the usual Cooktown Racecourse breeze very scarce. Anyone hoping for the going to be soft was out of luck with no rain on the horizon anytime soon and the track looking hard and dusty.
Aside from the punting, Cooktown Races wouldn’t be the same without ‘fashions on the field’ and as usual there was a superb turnout in the various categories.
Six local races provided the eager punters with a full day of racing, together with other country wide racing events, on view from the big screens.
By race five, both visitors and locals were eager to get the main Cooktown Cup underway with many theories as to who should be the favourite. Any of the seven entrants potentially had a chance to win on the narrow course.
Whispers around the ground were suggesting that last year’s winner Vincenzo was the safest bet, as the current racecourse record holder Choir Boy was carrying a 64 kg handicap, having recently won the Cairns Cup.
Less than two minutes later, all speculation became irrelevant as it was ultimately Choir Boy who crossed the winning line first with a new course record. By this stage, among some disappointed faces, there were plenty of smiles, hugs and high fives.
At the end of the day, not to be shown up, some of the two-legged guests demonstrated their running skills with a children’s and adult’s ‘dash for cash’ sprint along 100 metres of the home straight. With $500 up for grabs for both the male and female adult winners, this event attracts more attention than you would imagine.
The Cooktown Amateur Turf Club is congratulated for putting on a safe and entertaining weekend, with special thanks going to the volunteers that make the weekend’s success possible.
Well, I’m off to throw my screwed-up betting slips in the bin, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
