BETOOTA, a dot on the map in the vast Channel Country, boasting just a pub and racecourse, is set for its biggest weekend on the calendar.
As tourists pour in from far and wide, the Betoota Race Club is bracing itself for a massive crowd for Saturday’s five-race card, headlined by the Betoota Advocate Betoota Cup (1600m), which as the name suggests, is being supported by the famous satirical Australian news website.
The annual races will follow the rodeo tomorrow (Friday) night, which is expected to pull in some of the best bullriders in the Queensland Outback.
As for the races, South Australian trainer Kym Healy is hoping to have more Cup success at Betoota with Equal Chance, winner of last year’s feature race.
On that occasion, Jason Missen piloted Equal Chance to victory but this time round, Robbie Feahr will be on board, looking to follow up on his recent Cup success in the Central West on Call Out, most recently, in the John Dolger Memorial Cup (1400m) at Aramac’s once-a-year meeting last Saturday.
Betoota Race Club president Kerry Morton says it should be an exciting weekend, marking the start of the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival. “The country, you can’t pick it any better. There’s flowers everywhere. The grass is knee-high…a beautiful time of year to come out and experience the bush at its best,” he says.
After Betoota, the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival moves to Birdsville, with the races there next week on both Friday and Saturday.
PHOTO: Action from last year’s rodeo at Betoota where a huge crowd is gathering for the 2026 version, followed by the Betoota Cup race meeting.
POSTED: Thursday, August 27, 2026