Head down to Balranald’s Greenham Park on Saturday to witness some of the finest racing goats in Southern New South Wales and a chance to win $1000.
Balranald’s Billy Goat Racing Cup returns this Easter weekend, and event co-ordinator Peter Fuller said it promises to be a day of funny, family friendly fun.
The quintessential rural event combines goat racing with carp throwing and an unusual take on a lottery game.
“The billy goats are all feral goats that come in from different places, there will be 10 heats and each heat has 10 goats in it and you have the opportunity to purchase a goat to run for you on the day,” Mr Fuller said.
Goats will be sold for $30 each, with $100 on offer to each heat winner and $1000 to the winner of The Billy Goat Cup.
The Billy Goat Cup is not the only event of the day, with The Carp Throw and Cow Pat Lotto also providing cash prizes and entertainment.
“Basically The Cow Pat Lotto is if you guess where the cow does its business you can win $2000. The cow is in a 300 square pen and you can buy a ticket on the day,” Mr Fuller said.
The Carp Throw is another unusual event you can try your hand at on the day.
“The Carp Throw is about who can throw the frozen carp the furthest and there will be a junior and senior event in that,” he said.
Hosted by the Balranald Football Netball Club, The Billy Goat Cup is now in its fourth year and usually draws between 300 and 400 people.
“The first year it was pretty successful and we have been able to keep it going with the support of all the farmers in the area who donate goats, transport and infrastructure to set it up,” he said.
“The volunteers at the footy club have been fantastic.”
While the heat kept numbers down a little last year this weekend should be no problem with temperatures to hit a top of 27 degrees and plenty of shady marquees around.
There will be plenty of entertainment for the kids and live music from Y Ask 2pm.
Overdraft will take the stage from 6.30pm onwards.
Food and drink will also be on hand with a roast dinner later in the evening.
“The program starts at 2.30pm and the goats start racing around 4pm…come down, it’s a good family day and a bit of fun,” Mr Fuller said.
