Early racetracks
Waterline News December 2014
We have had several enquiries regarding our mention of the racecourse at Queensferry. My information is that around 1888 a local resident determined to revive the interest after local sports which had been held at Corinella since 1880 and included a few pony races, were abandoned. A site was chosen for the racecourse at what was known as the Queensferry Reserve, between the Bass Highway and Queensferry. Later information puts the site situated on the heath near the Artesian well. The Committee of the Western Port Racing Club with a Mr. H. Misson as secretary, cleared a track fit for racing, erected a judge’s box and other necessary buildings and advertised a program for a race meeting on what was believed to be St. Patricks Day in 1889. At the first meeting a seven race program was conducted with prize money amounting to 50 pounds being distributed. We would like to get more information on the racetrack at Queensferry to include in forthcoming issues and will be taking a look at what we know about the Grantville racetrack as well.