Toowoomba

Harness racing in the beautiful city of Toowoomba has a long and proud history. Dating back to the 1930's were the first harness racing club that was founded in Toowoomba raced on Werrington Park, which is now the site of the city's airport. Later the Downs Trotting Club, as it was known then, moved headquarters to the then Toowoomba Showgrounds, in Bridge Street where racing was conducted regularly on Saturday afternoons. As the town expanded the showgrounds was outgrown and the club moved to Clifford Park, where it was known as the Darling Downs Harness Racing Club (DDHRC). Racing was conducted at the Clifford Park paceway, which was inside the gallop track, until August 2003. Feature events that were notable in the days of Clifford Park racing were The C. V Boyd Memorial and The Darling Downs Cup, both rich stakes races which attracted large nominations from Queensland and New South Wales.

When racing ceased at Clifford Park the DDHRC combined forces with the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (RASQ) to form the RASQ Harness Racing Club. A 600 metre track was built in 2008 on the new showgrounds, which replaces the greyhound racetrack that was in existence. First class facilities that surround the track include a modern grandstand including function rooms and restaurant. All weather stabling on course is also present allowing trainers to take advantage of the complex in all weather extremes. The club now accommodates for the needs of local and other trainers to educate their younger horses and provide an all weather surface for mid-week jumpouts and training. Lights which have been installed around the track allow the club to conduct night jumpouts.

As the only harness racing club west of the Great Dividing Range in Queensland the club has a strong eight man committee which has visions of rejuvenating the industry in the heart of standardbred breeding country.