Raymond (Ray) Lowndes, the author of the wonderful trotting book “From Kedron to Albion Park” passed away last week in Brisbane, aged 70. Ray single-handedly recorded the long and colourful history of harness racing in Queensland in a series of captivating books.
Many a racing writer has referenced Ray's works which provide a great insight to the history and characters in Queensland trotting.
Ray’s books took us back to the golden era of trotting in this state when it boomed between 1950 – 1970 and he brought the sport's history to life going right back to the start in the 1880’s when horses were the main form of transport, through to the depression and the war years when trotting also flourished in our suburbs.
He wrote that trotting tracks were once dotted throughout the Brisbane suburbs and before trotting was popular at Albion Park there with ovals all around the city at Coorparoo, Wynnum , Cleveland, Redland Bay, Lawnton, Virginia, Mt.Gravatt, Rocklea, Redcliffe and Amberley. John Wren's Kedron Park wias the main event and night racing starting at the Gabba and later at the Exhibition grounds. The books were certainly very absorbing to read with obscure facts about colourful trotting personalities combined with some wonderful photos of races and venues.
Ray’s promotion of trotting was recognized by Racing Queensland with a "Service to the Industry Award".
His son Chris, one of three children and the child who usually accompanied Ray to his beloved Rocklea trots said he was proud of his father’s achievements and recalls him receiving the racing award.
“We would discuss the characters and horses in trotting and one thing that I came to realise quickly was the respect that dad had from the people in the industry, he has a deep passion for the sport and he had an photographic memory for horses and trainers names, dates and racing colours,” Chris said.
“He loved Rocklea, and that was the track that we most attended together, he was quite shattered when that track closed, he also loved the exhibition trots and getting out and about the little country tracks and meeting the people. “The last trot race he saw was on my mobile phone, I went to the (2015) Exhibition and recorded the show trot final and replayed it to him, he was thrilled that the trots were back at the Exhibition.”
Late of Western Suburbs, Brisbane, Raymond Bruce Lowndes passed away at the Wesley Hospital five days ago. A funeral service for Ray will be held in the Chapel of Centenary Memorial Gardens, corner of Wacol Station Road and Wolston Road, Sumner on Thursday (21/01/16) commencing at 2.00pm.
by David Aldred