Boulia Camel Races

Friday, 20th July at 6 pm was the official Opening of the Boulia Camel Races, known as the Melbourne Cup of the outback.  The opening was followed by a Ride-On Lawn Mower Race and Twilight Camel Race. The twilight camel race was unique - all I could see were little head lights bobbing around in the dark, hense no photos!! Live music - Owen Blundell and The Roo Wranglers continued until midnight.  Helen went back before the twilight camel race as the evening came in quite cold, I ventured back after the first song and was happy to listen back at camp around the fire.  We were far enough away from the main stage for the music to be a pleasant background sound.

Boulia Camel Races held at the Turf Club

Cooler nights - glad of a campfire for Happy Hour

Camels waiting for the races, this stable had the winner - Uncle Bob

Friday evening they also had Ride-On lawn mower races!

Saturday was a huge day of racing commencing at 11am with many Heats being run determining the line up for the big Camel Cup tomorrow.  Quite a crowd was here today however there were a few technical hic-cups when the starter gun mis-fired and some camels took off while others didn't. After a lot of discussions one of the races was re-run later in the day. Very entertaining to watch the camels race as some break before the start gun (if the handler cannot hang on they are disqualified) and some run the wrong direction!!  There were also Children's amusements, Food and Market stalls, Scenic Helicopter rides and of course, Camel Rides.  In between the Heats there was a Camel Tagging Competition which is held in the Arena.  The object is to "tag" a camel with a piece of tape, run back to the starting position, turn-around and retrieve the tape, then back to the starting position and stop the clock - not an easy task!

 The camel tagging, this girl was the winner.

In the afternoon they held the Boulia State School Calcutta and Mock Camel Race where kids made their own "camel costume" and were auctioned off before participating in a foot race.  All proceeds went towards their school excursion to the snow.  People were very generous with their money as some paid up to $500 for a runner.  The kids had great fun and certainly raised quite a bit of money for the cause.  The evening continued with live music by Owen Blundell, Mick Lindsay and a Pink Tribute (performed by Mt Isa born Kim Boath).  Fireworks were also a feature of the nights entertainment.

The kids all lined up in their camel costumes waiting to start the race.

Final day of the Camel Cup was on Sunday, 22nd with the main race being run at Noon.  We had received a tip from Bedourie, in the artesian pool, that Uncle Bob was a favourite to win.  We had followed him through the heats and true to form he was the winner of the cup.  I organised a sweep for our group and the ladies of each couple won some money (1st Uncle Bob (Jody): 2nd Pete (Joan) and 3rd Ace (Helen).  The official Camel Races were finished however they had Novelty Races in the afternoon including Yabby Races, Footraces and Tug-o-war. All in all it was a great experience and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

The camels were walked around to the starting gates

Races were mainly 400 metres with the main 1500 meters

We had a spot on the fence for the main race day and run our own sweep.

Our own fashions on the field, Helen and Jody.

Off and racing

The jockey doesn't hold the reins just hangs on and gets the camel running. The camel chooses where they run and one even turned around and ran the wrong way at the start line!

Uncle Bob on the rail close to us.

Uncle Bob after the win

Uncle Bob and jockey in red and white with the winners trophy

They also had yabby racing in the afternoon.