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Emerald’s Pioneer Park racecourse is in pristine condition for the Club’s signature race - the Emerald Ford Emerald 100. with a field of 10 to start on Saturday.
The iconic race, with a field of 10 set to start on Saturday, originated in 1965 when it carried a stake of 100 pounds, leading to the name the Emerald 100.
It has been run without fail since its inception, apart from 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented it from occurring.
The 2022 field is headlined by topweight Galapagos, trained by Rodney Hay, who two starts back won the Thangool Cup.
The trainer has a strong hand in the race, also starting Coach, as well as the Craig Smith-trained Radipole, which he owns.
To be ridden by apprentice Jade Doolan, the Irish horse Radipole is twice a winner over 1800 metres which will be advantageous to him in the Emerald 100.
Roma trainer Craig Smith previously won an Emerald 100 with Tune Him Up in 2010.
Similarly, local Emerald trainer Glenda Bell who will be represented by favourite Demurral, won the 2006 Emerald 100 as a jockey aboard Pimpala Player.
Emerald Jockey Club secretary Leigh Shields said the Pioneer Park racecourse was looking resplendent on Friday as the committee and voluntary workers were putting the finishing touches in place.
The club is catering for a crowd of in excess of 2,000 racegoers.
"Pioneer Park looks a picture with all the extra marquees and facilities in place," she said.
"Better still, from a racing perspective the grass track looks beautiful and has received the thumbs up from experienced locals."
That endorsement was particularly appreciated from long standing Emerald racing stakeholder, the retired jockey, trainer and course curator Noel Coyne.
As a jockey, Noel won the second edition of the Emerald 100 in 1966 on Tim Horn.
"The track looks a picture – beautiful," Coyne said.
"It has a very good cover of grass and with the irrigation that they can now use it has really benefitted."
Visiting jockeys include Brisbane's Nathan Day, Sunshine Coast's Paul Hamblin and Rockhampton's Ashley Butler.
The Emerald 100 is a qualifying race for the $200,000 Country Cups Challenge set for Doomben on Saturday, December 3.
