Terang is a very sparsely populated area of Australia. A survey conducted in 2001 revealed that the population was so meagre that only 1800 people were actually living in the city. Thanks to the popularity of its races, however, it has a considerable reputation in the state.
The Western Otway Racing Club in Australia has the Terang racetrack as one of its six circuits, along with those of Colac, Mortlake, Penshurst, Camperdown and Dunkeld, all of which have a history extending from the late 1880s. The track, located in the town of the Western District, Victoria, hosts eight meetings annually, and the Terang Cup, the highlight of the season, is run in late February or early March of each year. Information on these races is very easily found online for those interested in the competitions, with available data including form guides, acceptances, detailed histories on both trainers and jockeys, scratching information and gear changes. Punters will also be able to find out about the conditions of the tracks the horses and jockeys will be competing on, as well as previous statistics relating to the races that will help in making more successful betting selections.
The track for the Terang Racing club, also known as the Flemington of the Bush, was designed by the same creator as that of the Flemington, and it boasts a spacious grandstand overlooking the course.
It is also a funded training facility, and has three on-course stable facilities available, with the course, inside grass and sand track all being made use of daily by both local and outside trainers.
The Terang racetrack is also a venue hired out for private functions and community events, including the Country Music Festival held each March, thanks to its first-rate dining room facilities, playground areas and spacious lawns. Feature race days at the Terang track include New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, and the Terang Cup, an event held in October, over 2150 metres.
Terang’s Notable Citizen, the Horse Gammalite
The Standardbred racehorse, Gammalite, was the first Standardbred horse to net AU$1 million in all of Australia, and is held to be a notable citizen of this area. He is regarded as one of the most successful pacers to ever come out of Australia, with 16 wins in the Group One category. Gammalite was trained and raced by Maureen and Leo O’Connor, of Terang, and was foaled in 1976.
The Terang Cup Horse Racing Event
The Terang Cup, held in October each year is one of the area’s highlight events. The circumference of the track is 1000 metres, with a home straight length of 200 metres. The Terang Cup’s track surface is granitic sand, and its turns have a radius of 91 metres, with horses racing in an anti-clockwise direction.
Popularly seen as the prelude to racing festival in the South West area of Australia, the AU$50 000 Terang Cup is a draw for both those who enjoy watching the races and those who enjoy watching the latest fashions be displayed, as the whole community comes together for this race.