Collie Race Club (inc)
| Collie Race Club (inc) | |
| Racecourse Address: | McVee Road, Collie |
| Postal Address: | PO Box 700 Collie 6225 |
| Secretary Name: | Rosanne Pimm |
| Secretary Email: | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Secretary Phone: | 08 97344077 Mobile: 0428176817 |
| Website: | www.facebook.com/collieraceclub |
| Racing Season: | 2020/21 Race date 24th October 2020 Cup Day. |
| Life Members: | Mrs Lee Isbel, Mr Bill Carlisle (dec), Mr Charlie Tylor (dec), Mr Robert Pimm snr, Mrs Rosanne Pimm OAM, Mr John Bird |
| History: | It is documented that a meeting was held in January 1901 with the feature event the Collie Cup. The original Race Club was situated on the banks of the picturesque Collie river. It experienced many difficult periods between 1900 and 1930, lapsing during the Great Depression. In 1928 an embryo Golf Course was developed and after negotiations with the Race Club, the straight of the racecourse was used for the first activity. In 1945 the Race Club was revived with a meeting which featured the Cup. The Club prospered during the late forties and early fifties but in 1954 the meeting was abandoned due to lack on nominations and despite several attempts in 1955/56 the club become inactive. The track and facilities through lack on maintenance fell into a state of disrepair and was eventually taken over by the Collie Golf Club which is now an 18 hole course and major attraction in Collie. Alf Hampton trained Fernridge to win the 1940 Perth Cup. Alf’s grandson Brad is a well known Vet and prominent in the breeding industry. Bill McClusky was a prominent S.P.-bookmaker in the days when S.P. bookies fielded from their stands in the main street after having made “arrangements” with the local sergeant before the first. Interest in racing once again surfaced in the 70s when the shire obtained the lease on an area of Crown Land and vested it in the Collie Sports Club which subsequently become the current Race Club. The first meeting of the new club was held in 1983 to celebrate the Centenary of Collie Coal with huge crowd in attendance. There were no buildings, running water, power of communications. Since then the meeting has been held each year with the 2014 Collie Cup meeting the best since 1983. Facilities have been gradually improved to meet the expectations of patrons. There is a modern tote, bar, canteen and grassed area as well as an undercover area, with disables access to all areas. The track is 1720 metres based on the Belmont track and has a slight incline in the straight. Surface of the track is sand which is always in excellent condition. Camping is available with stabling nearby. |