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With thanks to Woodend & District Heritage Society. The society meets on Wednesdays, 10am-4pm, at the old courthouse in Forest St, Woodend.
More than 1,000 people attended the first meeting at Woodend’s new racecourse in 1903. But Gambill’s victory in the Woodend Cup wasn’t the most impressive feat they saw that day.
During the Trial Stakes, a calf wandered on to the track. According to the Victorian Racing Calendar, the leading horse “cleared it in the style of a top-class jumper” before going on to victory.
From 1860, horse races were held on the hill now occupied by the golf course. The opening of the longer track in Forest St in 1903 reflected the sport’s popularity.
Woodend became one of the first country racing clubs to install photo-finish equipment and to have its own mobile starting stalls.
But despite having the highest attendances for Saturday meetings of any country course in the state, in the mid-1960s the club found its future under threat. The government wanted to have only one racecourse in the area – and chose Kyneton.
After a long battle, the government got its wish in 1982.
Newry Boy, ridden by Ron Trevor, had the distinction of winning the last race at the final meeting before the Woodend and Kyneton clubs merged.
✍️ Richard Padgett.
📘 Beyond the Black Forest, by Sylvia Boxshall (2017), describes the early settlement of Woodend and the surrounding district. Available from Woodend & District Heritage Society, $27.50.
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