Running Rail
You are standing in front of a section of Cobden racecourse running rail, first used in the 1870s and last used on 22nd February 1975. All original posts were handmade and the rail itself was replaced in 2017. The restoration of the running rail was undertaken by volunteers.
The racecourse running rail proudly represents the 100-plus years between the 1870s and 1975 when meetings of all types involving thoroughbreds, trotters and ponies, as well as picnic races and gymkhana events were held in the town on the approximately 100 acres of land around us, now so well-utilised by Cobden Rotary (mini-golf), South Western Model Engineers (miniature railway), South West Kart Club, South Western Restoration Group, the Pioneer Park, the Cobden Aerodrome, Cobden Aero Club and the Cobden and District Historical Society.
From Cobden Turf Club and Racecourse TIMELINE . . .
1975: President Bruce King, secretary Harold Nelson, treasurer Bob Gibb and committeeman Bill Baynes explained to the Racecourse Licensing Board why the course should not be closed. A club extraordinary meeting resolved to hand the course to the Heytesbury Shire to develop as a sporting complex as long as the club retained its racing dates. The February race-meeting was very successful again with record takings and stake-money. Little Choice won the cup. Yet another extraordinary meeting decided to race at Terang – the Cobden Turf Club was not going to be allocated any more dates to race at its home-course.
1976: Cobden Turf Club successfully raced at Terang with Devil’s Marble winning the cup.
1977: Heytesbury Shire talked with the club about buying 40 acres of the racecourse for recreation. The club hoped to retain training facilities for the district.
1983: Seven years after first racing away from home, Cobden Turf Club ceased to exist on July 31st when it officially amalgamated with Terang. R Coverdale, P Walker, R Bourke, A Negrello, W Baynes and T Beaton joined its committee in September.
NB: For more history about the Cobden Turf Club and the racecourse, see RACING – FROM START TO FINISH on Circuite de Savage (Grayland Street)
Sources: The Infiltrators, And We Who Followed (Jack Fletcher), Cobden Times (June 15th, 1983)
