Not into horse racing? How about a T-Rex race instead?

Posted on 29 October, 2019

Had it with horse racing? A new event on Melbourne Cup Day is promising to shake things up. 

No matter your stance on the racing industry, we can all agree on one thing—those inflatable dinosaur costumes are hilarious.

This may seem like a slightly awkward or unrelated tangent (perhaps next we can talk about the merits of hummus?) but stay with me.

This year, instead of watching ‘the race that stops the nation’, Canberrans can choose to attend a race with a difference—a T-Rex race!

From midday on Tuesday 5 November (Melbourne Cup Day), the Little Oak’s Compassionate Stakes will be held on Civic Walk.

Little Oak Sanctuary is a not-for-profit animal sanctuary located close to Canberra that adopts and cares for farmed animals. Currently, they have more than 180 animals in their care.

To provide an alternative to traditional horse racing for Canberrans who enjoy a chance to dress up and celebrate, Little Oak has decided to do something different this Tuesday 5 November, with races unlike Canberra has ever seen before.

Between the Merry Go Round and the Fish Shack, races will be set up for human participants with a twist—everyone will run in an inflatable T-Rex costume.

Every half an hour from 12.30–3.30 pm, T-Rex races will be held for individuals and relay teams. Tickets to race are $10 per person (relay teams are all booked out) with all proceeds going to support ex-racehorses who currently reside at Little Oak.

Spectating is free and for those who love the sartorial aspect of race day, there will also be a Fashions OFF The Field competition, with prizes. Other offerings include a vegan sausage sizzle and baked goods and entertainment.

the essentials 

What: Little Oaks Sanctuary Compassionate Stakes
Where: City Walk, between the Merry-Go-Round and Fish Shack
When: Tuesday 5 November from 12 pm
More information: littleoaksanctuary.org/compassionate-stakes