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History Julie Evans' mural recalls an amusing incident
Country racing has probably experienced more ups and downs over
the years than any other sport, and the Stanthorpe club is no exception.
In 1966, the club established a track at what was to become Armstrong
park to the west of the town centre. This former Crown Land had
been used as an emergency aerodrome in World War II. A decade later, local solicitor Neil Sullivan, racing stalwart
Jim Mann and local engineer Jack Armstrong invited Eagle Farm Racetrack
Chief Steward, Steve Kelly to mark out the course. Doomben Racecourse
supplied the original Bookmaker's stands and the Semaphore Board.
Armstrong Park was born and was named after Jack Armstrong to recognise
his tireless efforts for the club. It remains the site of the Stanthorpe
Racetrack. Many good horses have raced at Armstrong Park over the years. The
most notable starter is "Panvale". He ran second at Armstrong
Park and shortly after, won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Sydney
in front of the Queen. |
One
of the oldest clubs in Queensland, there has been racing in the
Stanthorpe area since the 1872. This rich heritage comes from it's
origins as a mining town - when almost everyone used horsepower
as their means of transport, and the notion of gambling was an inherent
part of prospecting.
