Gordon Pablo, Ian Bond and Richard Tamwoy prepare the Bamaga course for three horse races ahead of the 2024 Red Dust Show, Rodeo and Races, which gets under way on Thursday night. Photo: Supplied.
The excitement levels in the Northern Peninsula Area will be tough to contain from Thursday night as Bamaga’s Yusia Ginau Oval opens the gates for three days of show, rodeo and racing fun.
The 2024 Red Dust Show, Rodeo and Races will kick off on Thursday night with an opening ceremony before competitors get right down to action with junior calf riding.
Horse sports will feature during the day on 6 September before all eyes turn to the rodeo arena that night for bull riding, a bushman’s saddle ride and show events, including the much-anticipated tug-of-war.
Rodeo co-ordinator Rosco Bensted said the final touches were being put on the venue and racetrack, which will feature the 300-metre Trumby Cup and Calcutta on Saturday afternoon.
“Several NPA riders travelled to the Weipa Rodeo to get warmed up for NPA,” he said.
“As Australia’s northernmost rodeo and races, we are in a unique position to showcase the Northern Peninsula Area and the tip of Queensland.
“We have had several inquiries from southern riders for open events and we have the Warren Bethel local bull ride for NPA residents.”
Mr Benstead said this year’s Trumby Cup would be run over a shorter course than punters would be used to from previous runnings of the NPA’s favourite horse race.
“Each year, we hold a Calcutta for the Trumby Cup, which used to be an 800m event, but due to insurance conditions, it is now only a 300m race.”
With the tourist season in full swing, Mr Bensted said he expected a large contingent of southern visitors would be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with locals to experience the event, which has been made possible through a collaboration between Bamaga Enterprises and the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council.
“All Peninsula and Torres Strait residents are welcome to attend, and we expect a number of local tourists to be among spectators,” he said.
