There will be plenty of excitement on and off the track when the 2025 Laura Races return on 28 June. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
It is shaping up as another year of bumper crowds as Cape York prepares to frock up and go racing at Laura in June.
The 2025 Laura Races will be held on 28 June and Laura Amateur Turf Club president Phil Holloway said the track and facility was already looking in top condition to host the iconic event.
“The track and grounds are in good shape,” he said.
“Fortunately, our onsite workaholic caretaker Slick Davies works daily to care for our grounds and facilities, and is ably assisted by his son Phillip and daughter-in-law Lyn.
“Our committee consistently works to improve our assets as this iconic Far North Queensland event has a solid history, and we want to see it survive into the future; our race program has been approved by Racing Queensland and is now being distributed among trainers and jockeys.”
In what is always a huge weekend for the region, thousands of racegoers and rodeo fans are tipped to make the pilgrimage for the races, as well as the Laura Rodeo and Campdraft, a combination Mr Holloway said he believed made the event such a success.
“The combined four-day events of horse sports, races and rodeo are co-ordinated between the two committees,” he said.
“In recent years, we have had full attendance, as approved and supervised by Cook Shire Council; our crowds are of all ages, are respectful and enjoy the total experience, either daily or over the four days.”
In the lead-up to race day, all eyes will be on nominations for the 2025 Laura Cup to see whether Innisfail trainer Renee Schluenz returns with Forgiato to attempt a three-peat in the feature event.
Following the eight-year-old gelding’s dominant victory in 2024, Schluenz suggested connections were already thinking about a Cup trifecta.
“I hope we can make it three [in a row in 2025],” she told Cape York Weekly at the time.
