ALL the while Queanbeyan's third racing meet for the year will feature the likes of fancied trainers Joe Cleary, Frank Cleary, Neville Layt and Bernie Fraser and their well kept horses, the Mother's Day classic will focus more on the women in the sport.
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Gai Waterhouse is one of few notable female horse trainers on a national level in a sport otherwise dominated by experienced and determined men reeling in the big dollars while spending their full time working lives as trainers.
Regina Buckley is one of just three female horse trainers in Queanbeyan, and has nominated her $1500 love, 'Lily of the Meadow', for this Sunday's race at the Queanbeyan Racing Club.
And to the contrary of some of Queanbeyan and Canberra's best known trainers, Buckley would be happy with the smallest amount of prizemoney.
"It's not about the money. We wouldn't be doing it if we didn't just enjoy it," said Buckley.
"There's more disappointments than joys, and when you've only got one horse, there's even more disappointments."
She said racing on Mothers day would have a better feel for herself and fellow female trainer Myffy Rae, but said she was never intimidated by more serious local competition.
"If you weren't prepared to face them, you just shouldn't be here...it's just a hobbie for me, something I love doing."
Lily of the Meadow has only been racing since the start of last year, and finished second at Acton in Canberra last year in her first race under Buckley.
Since then though she has been through a lean patch with back soreness, but Buckley has sought the sciences of the industry and hoped a new diet would lift her again.
The Mother's Day festivites include a brunch and $50 prizes from 11:30am.
Race one of seven starts at 12.20pm.
Meanwhile, Joe and Frank Cleary will run seven horses between them, but notable absentees are Quitely Brilliant and Rimu.