Sport
28 November, 2024
Laidlaw Park action under lights: Stawell Pacing Cup on track for success
The Stawell Pacing Cup sees the best in harness racing on Sunday.
The harness racing spotlight swings around to Laidlaw Park on Sunday for the running of the 2024 E Cycle Solutions $20,000 Stawell Pacing Cup, Wimmera Mallee Vets $20,000 Trotting Cup and the $10,000 feature event for 2yo trotters, The Maori Legend.
The eight race card of action sees a return to twilight time with the first event, Thomas Foods Maiden Trot set for 3:52pm and the "lucky last", Chris N Di's Bakery Pace at 7:51pm.
The Club will conduct a raffle with some great prizes donated, raising funds for the annual Stawell Interchurch Christmas Appeal, and has organised plenty of entertainment to complement the racing, including Fashions On The Field across multiple categories.
"There'll be lots of fun for all the family, including a visit from Santa, a face painter, jumping castle, Stawell Little Athletics activities and some great live music from the local Vanuatu Choir between races," Racing manager Mark Percival said..
"And as always, it's a free event for all ages."
Adults also have a chance to share in cash prizes just in time for Christmas by participating in the Club's QR Code competition of five $100 draws.
With the withdrawal of Tabcorp's on-course presence at most Victorian country fixtures, punters will be well looked after by local bookmaker Bart Styles offering odds on the "locals" and other major meetings.
The Trackside Bar & Bistro will be in operation, and if you're lucky, many bookings may still be available at 5358 1237.
Tony's Tips: R5 Stawell Trotters Cup - (7) Love Ya Brother, (10) Kyvalley Heist, (5) Robinmemates. R7 Stawell Pacing Cup - (10) Franco Novelist, (2) Rudy Gee, (11) All Da Rage, (9) Maxy Wants To Play
Ainsworth's terrific '24
Stawell horseman Jason Ainsworth continued his terrific '24 season at Terang on Sunday night when 5yo mare Daisy Bouchea led from "go to whoa" to take out the Mobile Start Trot over 1680m.
It was the 27-year-old trainer's 34th success for the 2024 season, and it was extra special because it was the 100th of his training career.
Ainsworth races the Greg Hargreaves bred, daughter of Danny Bouchea in partnership with his partner Natasha Raven and the trotter is the most winning horse in the stable with five victories.
Daisy has drawn well (No.3) in R2 at her home track at Stawell on Sunday in what looks like a stronger field.
The purple and white silks will also feature in The Trotters Cup, with Robinmemates, which impressed when second at Charlton, first up for its new stable.
Marvellous Manning
From the younger generation of trainers to a veteran - legendary Great Western horseman Peter Manning also landed a winner at Terang with three-year-old filly Time To Torque.
After a frustrating two-year-old campaign that produced nine top-four finishes without a victory, Manning brought Time To Torque back to racing at Ararat on March 1, and the filly has gone on to post six wins and six minors from 26 outings as a three-year-old.
Manning also trained TTT's dam, Torque Attraction, for seven wins, along with a host of others from that family, including Elusive Torque, for 15 wins & $100k.
The Torque horses are all bred and raced by long-time stable client Ian Corazzol of Queensland.
Local flavour in Melton
There's plenty of local interest at Melton Saturday night, with district trainers having live chances in several contests.
Aaron Dunn has Dee Roe (8) in the third event, a heat of the Goron Rothacker Series.
The three-year-old gelding has been luckless in three runs since winning a heat of the SA Derby.
Jason Ainsworth has Tallaras Shadow (3) in the same race, and it has been going well enough to be included in your multiples.
Kerryn Manning has Lincoln River (6) resuming from a six-month absence in the fourth of the night and, although drawn a touch awkwardly, should get through to next week's Final.
Smart trotting mare Jazspur (7) is chasing her eighth victory this season for trainer/driver Michael Bellman in the last and will need some luck from out there, but if she gets it, could be the upset.
They're off @ Stawell (T) Sunday December 1st; Charlton (D) Monday 2nd; Gunbower Cup Meeting (D) Sunday 8th; Mt. Gambier (N) Tuesday 10th & Horsham (D) Sunday 15th.