Aquis, Muswellbrook Race Club, TAB dig deep for local farmers

Tuesday's Aquis-sponsored country TAB meeting at Muswellbrook NSW was devoted to aiding drought-stricken farmers of the Hunter Valley NSW through the Lion's Club's alignment with Need for Feed, a Lion's Project.

The Need for Feed Project allows the most charity donations to reach farmers in need with the only costs covered being diesel, overnight accommodation and feeding of the drivers. The drivers themselves donate their time and their trucks ensuring more funds get to the relief support cause.

Aquis partnered with racing and media identity Richard Callander at the meet, with Aquis providing Callander $2,500 to punt with on each race, with all earnings and stakes donated to the Lion's Club Project. Further more Glen Munsie, on behalf of the TAB and Sky Sports Racing, guaranteed any shortfall to the sum of $20,000.

Muswellbrook Race Club General Manager, Duane Dowell said "Yesterday's successful race day was an amazing team effort between the MRC, Aquis, TAB, Lions and many others that contributed to its success – all to benefit farmers in our local area that are doing it very tough at the moment".

"I thank everyone involved for their fantastic support."

Whilst Callander had an off day by his own admission, Callander managed to pull in $6,800 through the win of the Angela Davies trained Rubel in Race 5, the Al Maher @Aquisfarm Class 1. Glen Munsie and the TAB committed to covering the shortfall to the sum of $13,200 to take the total to $20,000.

It was a great community effort and probably the most significant example of this support came from owners and trainers on the day. The Melanie O'Gorman trained Rubble won Race 2, the Divine Prophet @Aquisfarm Maiden, and owner Damion Flower of Jadesky Racing donated $5,000 towards drought relief, while Gregory McFarlane, the trainer of Flash Stinger (who fittingly is sired by Aquis stallion Dream Ahead) winner of Race 3, the Spieth @Aquisfarm BM58, donated $2,000 by way of owner Mr J O'Connor, to bring the day's total fundraising tally to $27,000.

Aquis Managing Director, Justin Fung, and CEO Shane McGrath were in attendance on Tuesday and were equally pleased with the result of the day.

"It was a fantastic day raising much needed funds for our farmers, a special thanks should go to Richard Callander, it was a tough days punting but he gave us something to cheer, stuck to his guns and didn't as we all know well when punting sometimes the gaps don't appear and the breaks don't go your way, I'd say he was fairly unlucky in a few races too."

''We are all acutely aware of the impact of the drought in the the local community andwe are trying to do our small part to ease the pressure." A big thank you must go to Duane Dowell, Glen Munsie and TAB and also to Jadesky and Greg McFarlane/Mr O'Connor for throwing their support behind the cause. We hope the funds raised will have a positive result for those whom the drought is effecting", Shane McGrath said.

Keith Stewart, District Governor of the Lions Club was in also in attendance on Tuesday, "we are delighted with the outcome of the day, such a generous gesture by Aquis, the TAB and the whole racing community to raise the awareness of this current drought disaster. Rest assured the donations will be used very wisely by Need for Feed. Lions Clubs have no administration overheads, we will ensure all the funds raised, and more, will flow through as practical aid to farmers in the Upper Hunter region."

If you require assistance, wish to volunteer your time or donate funds to the drought relief movement visit http: //www.needforfeed.org/