Hundreds of people have travelled to the Northern Territory's remote Barkly region for the famous Brunette races, after recent cancellations threatened the event.
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John Rankine has been coming to the races since 1963 and said the races, although changing, have stayed true to their ethos.
"We're still having fun," he said.
The 72-year-old treasures the event's uniqueness.
"The other ones [rodeos and race meetings] are a lot more civilised. This is the real deal."
More than beers and bulls
While it's well known for its eccentric events, the value of the Brunette Races for people working in rural and remote parts of the Territory is far more than quirky entertainment.
Ms Blackwood said that in a world of instant communication, the races were invaluable to keeping people's spirits up.
"I think there is no replacement for face-to-face contact."
"These are such important things because people get the opportunity to have that contact," she said.
An intrepid ABC reporter hits the famed Brunette Downs races and encounters more than just a few Northern Territory characters, and a whole lot of mud.
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