General News
23 April, 2025
Gregory pumped up for back-to-back race days
All systems are go for the May long weekend, with the courses cleared to race in Gregory.
Gregory will be buzzing over the May long weekend after its two courses – land and water – were given the tick of approval on Monday.
Gregory Downs Jockey Club’s John Clarke says the racecourse is dusty and ready for horses, while North West Canoe Club secretary Alison Whitehead says the river is dropping in time to safely stage the Gregory River Canoe Marathon.
It’s a relief for both groups after issues with weather in recent times has forced the cancellation of the community’s biggest weekend of the year.
The canoe race hasn’t been held since 2022, which means crowds can drop for the horse racing.
Ms Whitehead said barring an act of God in the next 10 days, the canoe race would be going ahead and urged people to get in their nominations before they close at 5pm tonight (Thursday).
“She’s coming down nicely, which is good,” the secretary said of the mighty Gregory River.
“We’re hoping we can run the full course, but there might be a couple of spots that need tweaking, depending on the levels on the race weekend.
“The long course has Kamarga Falls, which is classed as our grade 2 rapid. We may look at having a mandatory portage there if it’s not deemed safe.
“We still have time but I think (the river) will be perfect.”
Ms Whitehead said after back-to-back event cancellations, the North West Canoe Club and a host of paddlers were relieved that this year’s race would go ahead in what is the 50th anniversary of the Gregory River Canoe Marathon.
“When you cancel, it does put a lot of people off coming the next year as many travel from places further than Mount Isa,” she said.
“With this year being the 50th, we were super keen to make sure it would go ahead and it looks like Mother Nature has been kind to us.”
Ms Whitehead said there had been good nominations for the race, held on the Sunday of the Labour Day weekend, but urged those keen to get their entries in.
“Normally we get between 150 and 180 but we do expect that to be down a little bit this year because we’ve cancelled the last two years,” she said.
“We’ll still get more than 100 but I think some people are just waiting to see if we will definitely go ahead and I can say that we are, unless there’s a rain event that’s not on the forecast.
“A lot of people are coming back for this year’s event because of the anniversary and we think it’ll be a great weekend.
“We could even be in for a couple of records this year because the river is probably the highest it’s been for a long time in terms of our race days.”
BE WELL PREPARED
Most people at Gregory for the long weekend will be coming from Mount Isa via the “shortcut” after heading towards Camooweal.
However, that is an unsealed road and, while reports say the dirt sections are well graded, those wanting to get to Gregory via a sealed road should go via Cloncurry and the Burktown Road via Three Ways at the Burke and Wills Roadhouse.
Mr Clarke said there was no unleaded fuel available in Gregory and those driving petrol cars should be prepared with jerry cans, or travel via Burke and Wills to ensure they have enough fuel.
“We’re expecting a good crowd, especially after the Dirt and Dust weekend was called off because a lot of people will be looking for an event,” he said.
The Gregory Downs Jockey Club Saddles and Paddles race meeting will be on Saturday, May 3, with the Gregory River Canoe Marathon on Sunday, May 4.