Chicken racing…… An attraction in Outback Australia.
About a year ago, we discovered a really odd thing in Tambo (A town in the outback which we visited). A hotel there advertised Chicken Racing, which was unusual enough, but they also added free showers to this… So we were fascinated by the free showers (Travelling around Outback Australia we were seriously attracted by the mention of Free Showers) and also by the idea of Chicken Racing and also the idea of eating there…..
What fascinated us was the idea of Chicken Racing, we were intrigued and curious about this… The idea was really strange. So we went and set up our camp (by a river as I recall) and then walked back to the hotel where it was all happening.
So, we went in to the hotel, had showers and then went down and walked through to a back yard, where a lot of people were already gathered, and we sat down by a sort of chicken run, but one that was arranged in a style reminiscent of a Roman Chariot racing circuit (but small). In due time the various chickens were introduced to us, one by one. And they were introduced to us as heroes, one by one. They were variously talked up. The various “heroes” were introduced to us. Their pedigrees were discussed and their various races were discussed at great length.
In due time the way that the races where held were discussed. It appeared that they chased a remote control truck which ran around the course and the chooks chased it.. There was food in it, which was why the chooks chased it.
In due time, the race began, after a load of preparation and bets were laid, some of the bets were amazing! Up to $400 in one case!
The chooks raced around the course, following the truck, except for one, that simply stood still and waited for the truck to come around again….
In due time a winner was declared (not the chook that waited for the truck), and the winner was declared and then the various bets were collected.
And that was it……It was a fascinating event, and finished off with a supper in the pub, which was delicious!
OZTHOUGHTS 