COLERAINE RACECOURSE
The Coleraine Racecourse is situated on the Glenelg Highway only just over a mile outside of Coleraine and about 22 miles from Hamilton. Its inaugural meeting was held in April 1857 and one of its early feature races was the Great Western Steeplechase which was contested for the first time the following April. That first course was over 4 miles and consisted of some 42 fences.  That first racecourse was to remain the focus for a further 6 years until racing transferred to its current home.
	Coleraine has a viewing mound to help punters see the races, but its main grandstands have been positioned in an unusual way so that members get head on views of the runners. The grandstand is close to the bend on the home straight.
The Great Western Steeplechase actually followed a course through the town, over paddock fences and gardens that lay in the way. Such was the beauty of the race that Adam Lindsay Gordon wrote 2 poems about it, 'The Fields of Coleraine' and 'Banker's Dream'. Tragically he committed suicide in 1870. The 151st running of the event was won by the favourite Wheel The Lead.
	The principal race is the $100,000 Coleraine Cup which takes place each September. In the 2008 contest Key Symbol was victorious in beating Llaynbe, Lightning Lilly and Scenic Scene.
If you have badges, racecards, pictures of the racecourse or further details about the course, including your memories, then email johnslusar@fsmail.net