
Gladstone Cup's all-female field one for history books
RACE caller Tony McMahon is excited for Saturday's Carlton Mid Gladstone Cup because it will be a first in Queensland racing history.
Mr McMahon said the entire field in the cup at Ferguson Park comprised female jockeys.
"This has never happened for a club that races six or seven times a year to have the feature race, the Gladstone Cup, have all female jockeys," he said.
"It is quite unique considering female jockeys make up about a quarter of all jockeys."
More than 2000 people are expected to attend the turf club for the six races.
Gladstone Turf Club president David Weinhert said it was a great day for people to witness live horse racing.
"A lot of people who enjoy racing come to Gladstone instead of watching it on TV and hopefully back a winner," he said.
"Not many places in town have the facilities we have and a lot of people just come for the social aspect of the day, particularly the younger crowd."
He said he was glad he wasn't a judge for fashions on the fields.
"I don't care what they wear, the local ladies always present extremely well," he said.
"It's a really hard competition to win which is why we have such good prizes."
Race 1 starts at 1pm and the last race, Gladstone Cup, is at 4.40pm.