BACK ON TRACK

25 February 2010

RYAN REYNOLDS

THE brand new Hamilton Harness Racing Club track will come to life on Sunday with the club’s first meet being held at the track for more than five years.

Club manager Peter Collier said everyone was full of excitement.

“Everyone is really buzzing at the moment,” he said.

“People I have talked to have said they are looking forward to the cup.

“It has been a long time coming so hopefully it is a really good day.”

He said while not everything was complete; it was still coming together quickly.

“We are getting there slowly, but everything is going to time,” Mr Collier said.

“There were trials that have been held and the track came up really well.

“I think we will see some pretty fast times on the track, so hopefully that attracts some good horses.”

The club is hoping for a good turnout at the first meeting.

“If the weather is nice and fine then we can expect around 2000 people,” he said.

He said the club had received plenty of support from the community.

“People from the surrounding towns have said they will be coming which will be great,” Mr Collier said. “Being close to places like Portland, Warrnambool and Terang we should get some horses coming to race here.”

The eight-race card that starts at 4.26pm will include the $25,000 Matthews Petroleum Hamilton Pacing Cup, the $15,000 Alexandra House Trotters Cup and the Tim Neeson Memorial Border Cup Final.

“We are hoping to get some good quality horses to race on the day,” he said.

“Heats were held for the Border Cup last weekend and some good horses got through that stage so they will be there on Sunday.”

The day is aimed at entertaining the whole family with lots of exciting activities for the children.

“There will be face painting, fake tattoos and a jumping castle,” Mr Collier said.

“We have two scooters to give away and the first 200 children who come on Sunday will receive a free show bag.”

One of the highlights for the children will be the virtual reality sulky ride.

“I think even some of the adults will be very excited to try this,” he said.

“The ride gets the person to sit on a sulky and drive a horse through the race. It actually simulates what a real race is like and it is up to the person to drive the horse like in real life.”

It is hoped that as attendances and interest in the sport in Hamilton increase, the club will hold more meetings.

“We are hoping the build up the amount of meetings we hold every year,” he said.

“At the moment we are starting with just a few, but hopefully that will increase.

“Harness Racing Victoria has been very supportive of everything we have done so far which has been fantastic.”