AN eight-race line up attracted families to the Marburg Showgrounds on Sunday to enjoy a day out at the races hosted by the Marburg Pacing Association.

A big highlight, for both volunteers and patrons, was the opening of the doors of the new canteen building.

Association Secretary Denis Smith said a $110,000 grant from Racing Queensland had made the much needed building a reality.

“The new building is quite impressive and provides the volunteers who run the kitchen with a new area to be able to prepare and cook in comfort,” he said.

“It is a demountable building that has a deep fryer, fridges, sinks, a serving area and all of the cooking and kitchen essentials needed, there is also an area for the barbeque.

“We are really happy with the end result.”

And there’s more …

“The next stage will be a roof that will be built on the outside to provide shade and shelter,” Denis said.

“The existing canteen building will be cleaned out in due course and we are looking at putting tables and chairs inside with pinball and video game machines for all families to enjoy.”

Of course, the really big event on the day were the races.

Race tips were provided by Anthony Collins, Ben Crosby and Denis Smith to racegoers who enjoyed having a bet, and ‘a bit of a go’ with funny money and the ‘pick the card’ draw.

The pick the card draw offered prize money to the total of $2,000 for those who chose the first place winners from race two to race eight and the funny money created excitement at the end of the day for families who then bid for assorted raffle prizes.

“A sunny day at the races,” was how one punter described the event.

“It really is best country racing at its best!”