Townsville Racecourse is located on Racecourse Road in Townsville, in the suburb of Cluden and is known to be one the top provincial racecourses in the country. The course is operated by the Townsville Turf Club, which was first established in 1874. The first meeting at Townsville Racecourse took place over three days from August 15-17, 1866. This first race meeting featured the Town Plate, which was run over a distance of three miles and under weight-for-age conditions. With its first meeting being such a success, Townsville Racecourse soon became a popular community epicentre. Robert Towns, who founded the city of Townsville, was Townsville Racecourse’s inaugural president.
Townsville Racecourse, and this includes the Great Northern Prelude, is covered by TAB and SKY broadcasts for most of its race meets throughout the year and constantly attracts quality gallopers throughout the year. The track’s biggest race day is the Townsville Cup Day, which takes place in July each year and attracts approximately 12,000 patrons to Townsville Racecourse. The first Townsville Cup took place in 1884.
The Townsville Racecourse
Townsville Racecourse has a track circumference of 1,680 metres and a final straight that is 310 metres long. Races at Townsville Racecourse are run in a clockwise direction and the track itself features a total of five starting shoots that are located at 1200m, 1400m, 1600m, 2000m and 2200m. One of the other, more popular races at this delightful venue is the Parry Nissan Great Northern Prelude, which is a two-years-old Handicap race that is run over 1200 metres at the end of May, or beginning of June each year. The Great Northern Prelude has prize money of $25 000. First prize is $16 000, 2nd is $5000, 3rd $2500, 4th $1000, and 5th $500. There is no class restriction in this race, nor is there a sex restriction.
While Townsville Racecourse is home to over 30 race meets each year, it is also the perfect venue for events such as weddings and corporate functions.
Horseracing in Australia
Australia is known for its immense interest in horse racing and is home to nearly 400 racecourses in total. These racecourses exist all over the country, and are classed as either Metropolitan, Provincial or Country racetracks. Metropolitan racecourses are usually home to the big Group races and are often better quality than other racecourses. Provincial racecourses are usually located just outside major cities and can be home to Provincial Cup races that often have Group or Listed status. Country races, apart from certain Country Cup meets, are not usually covered by off course bookmakers or the TAB.
Racetracks in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia are designed to be raced on in an anti-clockwise direction, while Queensland and New South Wales racecourses are clockwise.
There has never been a better time to get into online sports betting. Technology has enabled everyone to have the tools to access this thrilling, and rewarding pastime at their very fingertips, and the Great Northern Prelude is no exception. And now, with the booming popularity of online sports books, it means greater winnings and better odds because of the massive betting pool. A complete range of betting options is always available at sport books’ horse betting sites, simply find the Great Northern Prelude and good luck.