THE first conversation I heard at the annual St George races yesterday was an exchange in Japanese.

In the jockeys' room well before the opening race, Masayuki (Massa to his mates) Abe and Maoki Ogabi, or just plain Nok, were having a bit of banter in their native tongue.

Not that they want to be segregated from their riding colleagues. Or the Queensland bush race atmosphere.

In fact, they have warmly embraced just what a country meeting is all about.

It was a wonderful experience at St George yesterday as part of the City to the Bush trip for corporates and friends from Brisbane, an initiative of Brisbane Racing Club chief executive Stephen Ferguson to raise money towards a flood relief drive.

There were hundreds of others from surrounding towns, all kindred bush spirits who flocked to St George to offer moral support for a community which has been bashed relentlessly by Mother Nature.

Years of drought have been followed by four floods in the past three years, the latest in February.

What better way to restore lost confidence than a bush race gathering? All are equal on the racetrack. Money can't buy a winner.

Or the sheer fun of gathering around a track in the west.

Rubbing shoulders with locals were Racing Minister Steve Dickson, Racing Queensland Limited chairman Kevin Dixon, Broncos chief e ... [Read More]