April 2002


LIGHTNING RIDGE GOES WILD FOR A GOAT NAMED WENDY

Once a year, Lightning Ridge residents raise their eyes from the opal trade to fix their gaze on the racetrack. It's a race with a difference, on a track that usually serves as the town's main street.

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Glenn Blackwell's blue-eyed goat 'Wendy' took out the 2002 Australian Goat Race Championship at Lightning Ridge on March 30.

Wendy was driven with grit and panache by Alice Fernando of Walgett, NSW. Fernando steered skillfully past an early collision between Damien Andrews' 'Chops and Sausages' and Brett Wilkinson's 'Red on Black' to win Lightning Ridge's annual goat race and the Australian national championship.

Connections of Wendy were surprised and thrilled by her win. Owner Glenn Blackwell - disappointed when 2001 winner 'Yibida Yibida' failed to make the final - said Wendy 's win was "really quite unexpected".

Favourite Yibida Yibida started impressively, but in a shock result placed only second in his heat. He was outdone not only by Wendy, but also by a third charge from the Blackwell stable, 'Maria', who won the ladies' race.

The Easter goat races have drawn crowds to the opal-mining town of Lightning Ridge for 26 years. Interest waned in recent years as increased professionalism in goat racing led to smaller fields and more predictable results; however, this year's event saw the return of novice goats and novel forms of participation.

Seventeen experienced goats lined up for the national championships, while a further 18 wild goats came in from the bush for the novice events. For the first time a ballot was held to choose drivers for the ladies' race, with eager applicants outnumbering available positions.

Crowds hustled for position at the barr iers along Morilla Street, which was closed to traffic during the race. Bets were placed and steak sandwiches consumed in quantity while the goats were harnessed and drivers put on their silks; spectators yelled and cheered during the races, ready to dive out of the way when a goat and gig headed for the ropes.

The horse races set down for the afternoon were cancelled because of a wet track. However, visitors happily spent the afternoon watching street performers and touring Lightning Ridge before a family fun night began at Spider Brown Oval - featuring live bands, a beer belly competition and wool-bale rolling event, and culminating with a spectacular fireworks display.

Formal events for the weekend finished the following day with the Black Opal Rodeo, held at Bill Waterford equestrian centre.

Easter traditionally marks the beginning of the busy period in Lightning Ridge, with cooler weather a relief from summer temperatures that regularly exceed 45⁰C (116⁰F). Those locals who flee for the summer have returned, and visitors begin to flock to the town during its sunny winter. For Lightning Ridge and its opal-mining inhabitants, the running of the goats marks the beginning of the good times.

Photographs:
TOP: Alice Fernando drives Wendy to victory.
CENTRE LEFT: Brett Wilkinson with his goat 'Red on Black'.
CENTRE RIGHT: The ladies' race gets underway.
BOTTOM: Those goats can move! Brett Wilkinson in hot pursuit of Red on Black, driven by Paige Wilkinson.

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