KEVIN Ferrier might have celebrated 25 years as secretary of the Walcha Jockey Club last weekend but is already planning the next 25.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That was one of his jokes during the annual two-day carnival which attracted good crowds and betting turnover on the Friday and Saturday.
“They were two good days,” Ferrier said.
“It was a tough day Friday. We had a few hiccups but we got through it all.
“The Elders Walcha Cup was won by a ‘local’ (Greg Bennett) which was great and the Ron Martin Memorial was a good race too.
“On Saturday Gavin Groth won the Nivison Handicap. He finished with a double so that was good too.
“The TAB betting was good and up about $4000 on last year and we’ll probably end up with about $1.2million.”
As for the 25 years he feels like he is just getting started.
“Yeah, looking forward to the next 25,” he laughed.
Ferrier wasn’t always the club secretary.
He was originally a milkman and then secretary at the local bowling club for six years and then the fruit and veg manager at the local IGA store.
Then he became the Walcha secretary.
At the same time he was elected onto the Walcha Council and has been on it ever since.
Maybe his biggest claim to fame is convincing “Milo’s wife” Janelle Archdale to run for council and then mayor.
“She has been excellent,” Ferrier said.
“Tony Windsor has always said Walcha is the best-run council he’s seen.”
Ferrier hopes the Walcha council can stand alone as it has shown it is so well run and services the district’s needs, just as he has done with and for the Walcha Jockey Club.
While Walcha completed its two-day carnival last weekend, Muswellbrook Race Club stages a matinee meeting Saturday from about 1.30pm before Quirindi Jockey Club stages its 2016 Cup meeting on Friday, February 19.
The highlight at Quirindi is the $35,000 Akubra Quirindi Cup (1600m) supported by the $25,000 Julie Green Real Estate Lightning Handicap (1100m).
Nominations for Quirindi close at 11am this Monday along with nominations for Moree Race Club’s Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service charity meeting on February 20. Feature race at Moree is the $6000 Chopper Cup B60 Handicap (1400m).
The following day is the huge $100,000 HNWRA Country Championship Qualifier at Scone. The 1400m Class 5 race is the main race on a huge day featuring two $30,000 support races and five other races worth $20,000 each.
Nominations for Scone close at 11am on Tuesday.