The Cairns Amateurs Carnival is about to go through the greatest overhaul in its 53-year history, it was announced yesterday.

The spring carnival on September 2 and 3 will have a new corporate area behind the finishing post, a style queen as its ambassador and its famed ball moved to the waterfront at Trinity Inlet.

Last year’s carnival was an $8.5 million boon to the city with more than 11,000 people attending and organisers are hoping the makeover will entice more racegoers.

Yesterday, club chief executive Graham Thornton said the changes came after research into patrons who attended the 2010 carnival.

The 2011 changes include moving the Cairns Amateurs Ball from the Tobruk Pool to the waterfront of Trinity Inlet near the International Cruise Terminal, a new corporate area known as Amateurs Aviary situated on the inside of Cannon Park’s track, four super marquees with mist fans and new membership packages.

Mr Thornton said the new corporate precinct would give businesses the opportunity to entertain clients in a new location inside the track, with packages for 50 guests costing $7500 for the races on Saturday.

“Not only will it give guests in the aviary a bird’s-eye view of the horses as they dash down the home straight but the atmosphere of the area will be fabulous,” he said.

The upgraded members area will have a new trackside bar, cool mist fans and a powder room.

Amateurs president Michael Delaney said the revamped carnival would be “new, different and fresh”.

Jaydee Paino, who won the Royal Oaks Day fashions on the field last year in an $18 vintage dress, will be the carnival’s ambassador. 

Share this article