One of the main highlights of the 40th Coober Pedy/Oz Minerals Race weekend was the Coober Pedy Opal Inn Cup. This event was held on Saturday  8th August, the first day of the two day celebrations.

Kingston Sea emerges from the dust filled track carrying jockey Garry Burchmore past the post to his third Coober Pedy Opal Inn Cup win

THE COOBER PEDY OPAL INN CUP

The Crowd gathered as the race was called to watch the colourful team of 13 horses and riders line up, then thunder around the race track. Amidst dust and congestion jockey Garry Burchmore wearing green and gold, emerged in first place riding Kingston Sea.

Winning Jockey Garry Burchmore receives his trophy from Robert Coro of the Opal Inn

Winning Jockey, Garry Burchmore hadn’t  been on a horse for five years until this weekend’s event. Garry had previously won the Coober Pedy Opal Inn Cup in both 1977 and 1979.

This is now Garry’s third win as jockey over a period of 32 years and 30 years since his last win.

Dion Khan, Lolly Williams and Lacy Khan from Stuart Creek Station holding the Opal Inn Cup and their winning sash

Elated “Kingston Sea” Owners and trainers are Dion and Baron Khan, Lolly Williams and Lacy Khan from Stuart Creek Station in the Marree area.

The  Coober Pedy Opal Inn Cup is sponsored and donated by the Coro Family who have been involved in the Annual Races in Coober Pedy for 40 years.

Robert Coro who presented the place trophies said the Coro family planned continuing their involvement with the Coober Pedy Race event.

Second place in the Opal Inn Cup went to “Taken Charge”, ridden by Jockey Gemma Hunt.  Owners and trainers are Colleen Taylor and Ronald Boland.

Robert Coro presents second place ribbons to “Taken Charge”, L-R Colleen Taylor, Jockey Gemma Hunt and Ronald Boland

The annual two day race meet at Coober Pedy saw lots of track events in a weekend filled with fun and entertainment for every age-group.

Visitors from across the country merged on the Opal Capital Mecca for a weekend filled with entertainment including the traditional Coober Pedy/Oz Minerals Race Ball on Saturday night in between the weekend’s events.

Robert Coro presents third place ribbon to Opal Inn manager Ken Williams for Snowby Boy

Third place in the Coober Pedy Opal Inn Cup went to “Snowy Boy” owned by Ken and Renata Williams, with Jockey Lizzie Crosby. 

Ken and Renata are the managers at the Opal Inn Hotel and are also part of the vast and complex Williams network of families who have infiltrated the outback since two sisters from Carrieton married two Williams brothers “way back when”.  It all snowballed from there.

THE TONY WONG LADIES BRACELET

The Tony Wong Ladies Bracelet was the highlight of the Sunday Festivities with crowds gathering to watch yet another much coveted trophy being won. 

This year the winner of the Tony Wong Ladies Bracelet was Cool Saab with owners and trainers again, Ronald Boland and Colleen Taylor with Jockey Shannon Coulthard.

Tony Wong with the winners in the Tony's Wong Ladies Bracelet. Jockey Shannon Coulthard, Cool Saab and owners Ronald Boland and Colleen Taylor.

By late Sunday afternoon participation in the events at the Coober Pedy Oz Minerals Race weekend reached a climax.  The crowd increased as events such as the Tug-O-War and the Arm Wrestling were about to begin.

The club rooms filled with supporters as contenders took turns to match their muscle strength. 

Mark Bell, Coober Pedy Saints football player and Oz Minerals employee came out the victor in the men’s arm wrestling on the day

Mark Bell, Coober Pedy Saints football player and Oz Minerals employee came out the victor in the men’s arm wrestling on the day.  The women had a turn at arm wrestling but by and large it was a spectators sport; an event the crowd thoroughly enjoyed.