Wyeera Race Course - Glenquarry, NSW
Posted by: Tuena
S 34° 30.237 E 150° 27.302
56H E 266346 N 6179024
The Bong Bong Picnic Race Club conducts its annual picnic race meeting at this course.
Waymark Code: WMK20Z
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 02/01/2014
Views: 11
The Bong Bong Picnic Race Club was formed in 1886. The first Bong Bong Cup was held in the grounds of Throsby Park at nearby Moss Vale and was won by Don Antonio. Since the 1980s the meeting has been conducted at “Wyeera” which is owned by the club.
In years past the meeting was held on Caulfield Cup Saturday and often attracted a greater attendance than the corresponding Sydney metropolitan meeting.
By the 1980s Bong Bong was the largest picnic race meeting in the world. At a time when race crowds were declining Bong Bong’s were increasing reaching almost 35,000 in 1985. However poor behaviour on the part of some of this huge crowd resulted in the meetings being closed. In 1992 the races were revived but under strict crowd control by limiting attendance to members and their guests only.
Wyeera has developed into a fine facility over the years. Long gone are the days of 2 x 2 posts in lieu of proper running rails, ashes from a local brick works to fill some of the swampy parts and strand starting barriers. Gone too is the notorious “drop” just past the winning post where unsuspecting jockeys sometimes became airborne. These days the course is a professional looking track but one which still holds its picnic race atmosphere and charm with the famous hill in the centre of the course the source of many tales about what can happen out of sight of the stewards.
Last year's meeting was held on Friday 21 November, attracting a crowd of 7,000. The picnic atmosphere is achieved by two means, boot picnics & marquees. The latter are hired out by the club & first preference is given to the previous year's hirers. There is a waiting list should marquees become available.
The course is 1600 metres in length, the 7 races are conducted in a clockwise direction & for part of the race the hill obstructs your view. There is a broadcast tower on top of the hill so that a race can be called in full.
Book makers are on course but there is no national wagering coverage.
Wyeera also hosts the Bowral Show, dressage & polocrosse events.
The above information obtained from the Club's website listed below.
Types of Races: Thoroughbred
Racing Season: From: 11/21/2014 To: 11/21/2014
Year Opened: 01/01/1980
Famous Races: Bong Bong Cup
Additional Information: The famous hill in the centre of the course. Betting with on course book makers. Plenty of parking. Members & their guests only may attend the meeting.
Racecourse Web Site: [Web Link]
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