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THE township of Bourke is abuzz with anticipation as it prepares to host its first race meeting in more than a decade.
The Back O Bourke Race Club will host the Harry Hart Memorial Picnic Race Meeting on Easter Sunday, April 5, consisting of a six-race program.
Committee members and volunteers have been hard at work for weeks to ensure the track, once classed as one of the best dirt tracks in western NSW, is back up to standard.
Racing under picnic racing conditions, the meeting will feature the Bourke Bowling Club Harry Hart Memorial Cup (1600m) with $6000 in prize money up for grabs.
That kind of prize money makes the event one of the more valuable picnic cups in the state. The support races offer $3500 and include the Enngonia Race Club Franks Service Station Picnic Sprint (800m).
All in all, a well-rounded program and the first picnic race meeting to be held in Bourke since the famed Darling River Picnic Race Club's last meeting in 1969.
Sponsorship has been extremely successful for the club and sponsorship has been secured for all six races. Club President Phillip Parnaby has been delighted with the reaction from the community.
"There has been overwhelming support from local families and businesses and interest from surrounding towns," he said.
Fashions on the Field will also be taking place on race day with competitors vying for their share in over $3000 in cash and prizes.
Fashions on the Field co-ordinator, Sarah Barton, has been organising the competition and is keen to see as many fashionable racegoers donning their outfits for a chance to be named the Best Dressed Lady or Gentleman.
Judging criteria is available on the Back O Bourke Race Club Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BackOBourkeRaceClub) and at the secretary's office on the day.
Full food, bar and betting facilities will also be in operation on the day, as well as a jumping castle for children. Gates will be open from 12pm, with the first race commencing at approximately 1pm.
The committee will also be holding a raffle on the day with prizes including flights and accommodation for five nights in Darwin, an Engle fridge and accommodation at Kidman's Camp luxury cabins.
A much-anticipated reunion at the races of all past and present students, and parents of the Bourke School of Distance Education has been co-ordinated by Di Ridge. The reunion festivities will centre on a marquee lunch at the race track.
Indications are that people are coming from all over the state and interstate to attend.
The race meeting coincides with the Back to Bourke reunion weekend which is expected to draw hundreds of ex-'Bourkeites' back to the town.
A copy of the weekend's full activities which include wool bale rolling, market stall, art exhibitions, Exhibition Centre dinner, Diggers ball, rugby, bowls and fishing competition can be accessed on the Visit Bourke website (www.visitbourke.com.au).
In conjunction with the reunion, Airlink is offering return flights from Dubbo on race day. For enquiries about a trip to Bourke contact Airlink on 02 6884 2435.