Everything you need to know about the Roma Cup
If you’ve ticked off Melbourne Cup, Ipswich Cup and Doomben Cup from your yearly trackside festivities, drop your location pin to Roma to experience the thrill of race day, outback-style.
Held in November each year, Roma Cup sees over 2,000 people pass through the gates of the local racetrack, Basset Park, to catch all the action at the sandy racetrack, including fashion competitions, live entertainment and of course the main event – the 1640m Roma Cup Open.
Grab your form guide and fascinator (or Akubra if you’re so inclined), and hit the road west to the iconic Roma Cup.
What is the Roma Cup?
Just like all other major horse racing events held around Australia, Roma Cup sees fashionistas and punters come together for a day of trackside festivities.
Hosted by the Roma Turf Club as the final event of their Spring Carnival schedule, the local racetrack (a short three kilometre’s out of town) is transformed with a splash of colour as locals and visitors put their best fashion foot forward for the coveted Fashions on the Field.
The starting line is made up of fillies hailing from regional and metropolitan Queensland, with an average of 90 starters saddled up across the day’s race schedule.
Test your betting skills on one of the eight races throughout the day, as the horses and jockeys race for nearly two million dollars of prize money.
Make sure you secure a spot on the Basset Park straight for the grand finale to see who noses the line first for the top prize of $450,000 and title of Roma Cup winner.
“Just like all other major horse racing events held around Australia, Roma Cup sees fashionistas and punters come together for a day of trackside festivities.”
Pay attention to the horses and jockeys on the day, as past winners have gone on to win other major racing events, like Mister Morris who took out the Queensland Cup in the 70s.
The event is fully catered with food, drink and TAB facilities available trackside to keep racegoers fed, hydrated and with easy access to place bets.
Tickets can be purchased online from Roma Turf Club from September, with the event this year scheduled for Saturday, November 20.
How to get to Roma?
Depending on how much holiday time you have up your sleeve – there’s more than one way to get to Roma.
For the quickest commute from Brisbane to the Basset Park Racetrack, book a flight with Qantas to touch down at Roma Airport in one hour.
Pick up a hire car to explore Roma and the surrounding region during your stay or take a taxi to your accommodation if you prefer to explore the town centre on foot before and after the main event.
If you’re not shy of a road trip, pack the car and hit the Warrego Highway west for the 450km drive. Make sure you set off early to allow for the six hours on the bitumen, ensuring you have enough time to stop off and stretch the legs at Toowoomba, Dalby, Chinchilla or Miles along the way.
Where to stay during your visit?
Whether you prefer to BYO your accommodation or are more inclined to opt for four walls and linen sheets while travelling – Roma has you covered with caravan parks, campgrounds, farm stays and modern motels.
Choose from 14 motels within the town centre, including the four-star Roma Central Motel, or secure the tent pegs into the ground at one of the five caravan parks or campgrounds close to town.
You’ll also find pet-friendly places to call home if you plan on bringing your fur child for an adventure, or farm stays for a family-friendly road trip.
Any local tips for visiting Roma?
As the Roma Cup takes place in late November, plan your wardrobe to match outback summer weather, with hot days, steamy nights and the occasional thunderstorm.
Just because you’re in the outback, it doesn’t mean the dress code is casual at the races. Ladies – pack your fascinator and frock and men, don’t forget a dress shirt, tie and Akubra.
For rockstar treatment during the day, book a Club Membership with the Roma Turf Club for free access to the event and Member Marquee, complete with finger food, air conditioning and prime position to watch the horses and jockeys in action.
What else is there to see and do while in Roma?
Home to the biggest cattle selling facility in the southern hemisphere, the birthplace of the oil and gas industry and a bottle tree measuring nine metres wide, you’ll want to allow sightseeing time to your travel plans.
Doubling as a tourist attraction and Visitor Information Centre, put the Big Rig as your first point of call after unpacking your bags, to chat with locals about your weekend plans and find out what else is happening during Cup weekend.
When you need a break from the heat (hello, summer) visit one of the local art galleries, learn about the importance of the cattle industry at the Roma Saleyards or relax with a coldie at a country pub.
Other Roma racing carnivals worth marketing in your diary
If you can’t make it to Roma Cup, check out all the other racing hosted by the Roma Turf Club, with a total of eight races making up the Spring Carnival schedule.
For later in the year and next year, check out the Christmas Races scheduled for December 11, and Easter Races during the Easter holidays.