Will Whiteley couldn’t think of a better day to turn 21 than at this year’s Wagga Agricultural Races.
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The president of the annual meet said it was the perfect coincidence his birthday fell on the same day.
Not only was Mr Whiteley able to celebrate the milestone with more than 6000 racegoers on Saturday, he was able to witness the event’s success, which raised money for a family friend.
“It’s been really wonderful,” Mr Whiteley said.
“Proceeds go to Peter Worsley … one of my dad’s best friends.”
A serious rugby union accident at Charles Sturt University left Mr Worsley – an Ag College Old Boy – a quadriplegic in 1987.
For 29 years, the second-biggest event on the Murrumbidgee Turf Club calendar has raised money to support Mr Worsley.
Despite clashing with other major sporting events across the weekend, the “Aggie Races” proved to be another spectacular success.
Mr Whiteley said he and fellow-organisers were expecting the popular race day to raise more than $30,000.
“I’m really happy about the weather … it was touch and go for a while,” he said. “This year we have the horses too … it was too wet last year.”
The vet-science student said racegoers were predominately uni students or former graduates but some visitors had come from as far as Queensland and Tasmania.
Races beneficiary, Mr Worsley said it was great the Agriculture College had managed to start the races and sustain it for almost 30 years.
The former Wagga resident presented the William Farrer Hotel 2017 Aggies Cup Benchmark to Zarina’s Gold trainer Michael Sparrow.