Like all racing enthusiasts, David Russell loves nothing more than picking a winner and he’s certain that’s the case each year the Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood Handicap rolls around at Clifford Park.
David is the group dealer principal at Wippells Auto Group in Toowoomba which celebrates on Saturday its ninth consecutive year sponsoring Clifford Park’s time-honoured sprint feature race.
This week’s Weetwood spearheads a gala day of activities and racing including the TAB Toowoomba Cup, Toowoomba Truck Spares Pat O’Shea QTIS Plate and Magic Millions Garden City Guineas.
Before the gates even open for Saturday’s meeting, David is already looking as far down the track as possible to remain involved in one of Toowoomba’s largest celebrations.
“This is our ninth year sponsoring the Weetwood and we’ve loved being a part of it from day one,” David said. “And we’d like to remain a part of it as long as Toowoomba Turf Club will have us.
“There are so many pillars to the day and that’s why we’ve chosen to stay involved.
“There’s the trainers, owners, jockeys, staff, workers and patrons that come together to make this race day the success it is.
“Where Weetwood day now sits in September and spring fits in perfectly with what the city offers.”
Saturday’s Weetwood Handicap is poised to potentially deliver Toowoomba a home-town victory with Yellow Brick for trainers Tony and Maddysen Sears quoted at odds-on in some early markets to add to his outstanding record.
Yellow Brick on New Year’s Eve scored a scintillating win in Clifford Park’s inaugural Mort & Co King Of The Mountain.
“It’s a real coup for the Weetwood and the club to have a horse the calibre of Yellow Brick starting on Saturday,” David said. “His appearance adds a lot of extra interest and excitement to the event, but we all know in horse racing nothing is for certain.”
By Glen McCullough
