Cup veteran lines up against outstanding field

Sink the Slipper may be a long shot for this year’s Coolum Cup, but the 100-1 extreme outsider is looking for a syndicate to back him when he lines up at the starting gate on Wednesday.

The veteran is one of 20 on offer by silent auction before the race starts at 3.45pm during the Australia Day celebrations in Tickle Park.

Punters are encouraged to support the race as profits will go towards helping flood victims affected by the recent devastation across Queensland.

Coolum Lions Club event manager Don Knopke says this year’s race features an outstanding field of local and interstate talent - cane toads, that is.

He has taken special precautions to ensure the amphibians make an appearance on Wednesday, following last year’s “embarrassing” cancellation of this infamous race.

“I went home to collect the toads and they had all escaped,” he said.

The Coolum Cup has been a featured event of the Australia Day celebrations for about 10 years. Don introduced the form guide as well as naming the toads after politicians and local identities.

“I have never had any negative feedback so I can only assume that no one has ever been offended by their form,” he said.

“Most years there’s a huge circle of spectators jostling for positions, with plenty of bidders at the auction too. To save time for other activities a silent auction will be held for the first time this year. I hope to auction the five toads that have attracted the lowest bids at the track,” he said.

The 3.6m-diameter track features a specially-made set of starting gates with 20 stalls. The toads are let out in the middle of the track and the first one to reach the outside is the winner.

“To my knowledge no one has ever timed them, as all the spectators get caught up urging their toad on during the race,” Don said.

Talent showcase

Community entertainers, bands, dancers, choirs and bush poets will provide non-stop entertainment from 10am. View the full Australia Day Program here.

“We have always used local entertainers, but this is the first time we have asked for community groups to participate and the response has been fantastic,” Don said.

“We made a tough decision to discontinue the street parade, as the cost of staging this has blown out from nothing in 2003 to almost $4000 in 2010. Unfortunately, the Lions can no longer justify this expenditure. That’s $4000 that could now go towards the flood relief.”

Thong throwing

How far can you throw a thong? While there are no officially recorded distances, Don says he’s amazed at how far some people can throw a size 15 thong.

All thongs are supplied by Gone Bonkers and are the same size, he said.

“One year someone was caught with fishing sinkers embedded in his thong; since then we have always supplied our own.”

Don said Gone Bonkers would supply prizes for winners in the men’s, women’s and primary school boys and girls events.

Bush poets bash

Bring your own work, or recite “the good old banjo Patterson-type stuff.” Introduced for the first time last year, this event attracted three starters, plus one who got cold feet.

Don says anyone who wants to participate can just show up on the day, and he will fit them into the program.

“Instead of three poems each, the event might get cut back to two poems, but everyone who wants to have a go is most welcome.”