HARNESS racing will make its final appearance of the year in the Loddon Shire at Boort on Sunday.
Hundreds of people are expected for the cup meeting and what trotting club president Tim Byrne says will be a huge community celebration.
“We’ve only one meeting a year since the restructure of Harness Racing Victoria and we’re determined to make it a winner,” he said. “Our community is absolutely committed to keeping the sport and the social engagement of the cup meeting alive, full of enthusiasm that matches the support we have received from sponsors and the harness racing industry.”
Byrne said the meeting would feature cup races for pacers and trotters and roll in the Northern Oasis feature events of the now scrapped early January meeting.
“Owners, trainers and drivers have been supportive of our club for many years ... they wanted to keep these feature races,” Byrne said.
“Our club is also pleased to again be part of the Team Teal initiative for women drivers raising funds for ovarian cancer research.”
Byrne said fashions on the field headlined the off-track activities with $500 for the Lady of the Day section winner.
“The family focus of our cup meeting will see junior sections in fashions on the field and we’re also hoping to have pony trot races as part of the program,” he said.
“There’s also yabby races, music from our own Elias Lanyon and other activities for youngsters.”
Byrne said the Boort club was aiming to grow its strong membership base.
“Entry to the cup meeting is free but we are really encouraging people to buy a $10 membership ticket. This will not only put them in the draw for $500 but reinforce our club as one with lots of supporters who are equally committed and passionate about retaining harness racing at Boort.”
Both Boort and Wedderburn clubs had raced twice a year until they were among clubs to lose half their allocated meetings in reforms of HRV last year.
January’s Australia Day Wedderburn Cup meeting was the first at Donaldson Park since completion of the new $5 million project and had one of its biggest crowds in many years.