Jim Byrne and Scorpio Queen won the Bernborough Handicap at the New Year's Eve races at Clifford Park. Nev Madsen CLIFFORD Park entered a new era in gala style last night when New Year's Eve racegoers helped celebrate the return of racing to Toowoomba.
Less than five years after Clifford Park was converted to synthetic track racing, Toowoomba Turf Club unveiled its $6.9m revolutionary StrathAyr turf course proper with its Return To Grass race meeting.
Yesterday's nine-race card was the first run at Clifford Park since July 9, when the course reconstruction and major public facility upgrades began.
Toowoomba mare Spontaneity, trainer Steve Tregea and apprentice Anthony Allen combined for a slice of Clifford Park history when they combined to win the first race on the surface.
Spontaneity ($4) delivered on Tregea's confidence with a two-length victory over Toowoomba five-year-old Red Hot De Lago ($4) in the Wimmers Soft Drinks Class 1 Handicap (1000m).
"I really liked her today. I thought she was a good thing to be honest," Tregea said.
Tregea described Clifford Park's revamp as a "miracle".
"It's fantastic," Tregea said of the rebuild.
"It's a miracle to get back to where we are and full marks to the club for what they've achieved."
Anthony Allen and Spontaneity win the first race on the new grass track at Clifford park racecourse. Photo Nev Madsen / The Chronicle Nev Madsen Gold Coast mare Scorpio Queen ($12) stung punters with an upset victory in the $175,000 Toowoomba Regional Council City Of Toowoomba Bernborough Handicap (1625m) for trainer Les Kelly.
The race second emergency unleashed a strong finish in the home straight for jockey Jim Byrne to reel in Essington ($8) and post a half-length victory.
Bahram Training Centre filly Rambin' Daisy ($11) loomed into contention for a start in this month's Magic Millions Classic with a courageous victory for trainer David Pfieffer and breeder Gregg Wagner in the Brisbane Bloodstock Hopeful Plate (1000m).
Ramblin' Daisy added another $48,000 to her prize money kitty when she held on strongly for jockey Michael Palmer to defy Sarisara ($9) by a half length.
Jumbo Prince ($31) completed a Toowoomba race trifecta to be only a half length back third.
Former Toowoomba trainer Tony Gollan collected the night's third feature when Tear It Up ($6) swept to victory in the Fillies and Mares Quality Handicap (1200m).
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