Bankstown Paceway to host three day Camel Racing Carnival in July

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bankstown Paceway directors Megan Lavender and Andrew Ho with cameleers and dromedaries at Bankstown Paceway

”˜Sydney will host its second annual city based series of camel races at the heart of Australian harness racing, Bankstown Paceway, next week (July 2014),’ according to Bankstown Paceway director Megan Lavender.

”˜From Monday, July 28th, to Wednesday, July 30th, the century old showground and eight hundred metre trotting track at Condell Park, in Sydney’s south west, will serve as the venue for  the  Second AnnualSydney Camel Racing Carnival: A Christmas in July Stadium Spectacular, which will see cameleers and dromedaries stand in forour much loved reinsmen and standardbreds for the three day festival of racing,’ Ms Lavender said.

”˜Race goers will be treated to four daily races featuring six camels topped off with a non stop entertainment programme featuring New Zealand-born Allen McDonald’s world famous Elvis Show and UK comedian Al Showman  from The Burning Log Comedy Theatre Restaurant (which has made Bankstown Paceway its new home after six decades at Dural), plus Santa’s Christmas in July lunch,’ she said.

”˜With sand, sun and fun, the Second Annual Sydney Camel Races at Bankstown Paceway will be July’s ultimate winter warmer,’ Ms Lavender added.

The  Second Annual  Sydney Camel Racing Carnival: A Christmas in July Stadium Spectacular  will he held at the heart of Australian harness racing, Sydney’s Bankstown Paceway, 178 Eldridge Road, Bankstown, from Monday, July 28th, to Wednesday, July 30th, 2014.   Gates open at 10 am.   Reserved seating, show and lunch  bookings can be made on  1300 THE LOG or 1300 843 564 or 0414 339 558.

Camel Racing in Australia ”“ The Facts

The facts on camel  racing in Australia are as follows:

1.  Camel racing is a popular sport in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Australia, and Mongolia.

2.    Like horse racing, camel racing can be an event for both wagering and as a tourist attraction.

3.  Camels can run at speeds up to 65 km/h (18 m/s; 40 mph) in short sprints and they can maintain a speed of 40 km/h (11 m/s; 25 mph) for an hour.

4.      Camel racing in Australia ”“ which started more as a tourist attraction than a professional sport ”“ usually takes place on outback racetracks.

5.      Previously, camel race was held in Sydney at the former Harold Park Paceway, at Glebe, during the Equine Influenza Crisis which prevented many Australian horse races from being held in 2007.   In 2013, the Inaugural  Sydney Camel Racing Carnival was held at Bankstown Paceway.

6.      Australian camel racing jockeys are mostly women, unlike the Middle East, where boy jockeys are the norm, and camels race in sprints, not long distance races.

7.    Camels were first brought to Australia from Afghanistan in the early 1800s to help build major railway and telegraph lines in the outback.   They were also used extensively for exploration purposes and as a pack animal.

8.      By 1895, the Australian camel population had increased to approximately 6,000 head and today the population is estimated at over one million animals.

 

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