All ready for Horsham Pacing Cup
The sun is set to shine on Horsham Racing Centre for Sunday’s running of the $60,000 The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Pacing
Cup.
A 27-degree day will be perfect for patrons to picnic on the grass and enjoy the free, family-friendly community event.
Horsham Harness Racing Club president Terry Lewis said it would be a most welcome contrast to last year’s wild and stormy afternoon.
“The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Pacing Cup itself promises to be a super contest with several high-quality horses engaged and our chief executive Jo Cross has put together a terrific program of activities, entertainment and competitions to enjoy off track,” he said.
Lewis and his brother David have bred and raced several classy pacers throughout their journey, but are yet to secure a Horsham Pacing Cup trophy after several attempts.
The ‘Team Lewis’ silverware cabinet includes a 2012 SA Italian Cup, 2012 Charlton Pacing Cup, 2009 Canberra Cup and 2003 St Arnaud Cup won by proven performers Abettorpunt, 23 wins, Master Of Disguise, 27 wins, and Frosty Bulldog, 12 wins, and although the three horses have tried at Horsham, it has never been their day.
Victory in a country cup contest is like winning an AFL grand final — you have to be good enough to make it onto the big stage, but so is the opposition.
In the end, it comes down to the best performed on the day and when things get close, the difference between winning and losing is often a helpful nod or two from ‘Lady Luck’.
The Lewis’ lightly raced six-yearold gelding Kowalski Alalysis will line-up on Sunday with now-regular driver Glen Craven in the sulky.
The winner of eight races and $150,000 in stakes has faced the starter on just 32 occasions in nearly four years due to illness and injury, but is back to his best and given a decent draw should be right there at the finish.
The powerful Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin barn has snared five of the past seven Horsham Pacing Cups.
They are likely to be represented by two runners on Sunday, with Major Moth, Cant Top This, Idyllic and Like A Wildfire among the early entries.
The Amy Tubbs and Greg Sugars stable has set veteran campaigner and former New Zealander, A GS White Socks, for the Cup.
As a winner of $600,000 in stakes there is still plenty of life in those nine-year-old legs with creditable efforts recently in the Casey Classic and The Pure Steel at Tabcorp Park, Melton.
The eight support events are also expected to be strong and inscribed rug presentations will be made postrace by sponsor representatives from
Locks Constructions, Wimmera Aquatrail, Traction Ag, West Side, Horsham Doors and Glass, Samios, DMD Horsham and Nhill, and Shelton and Lane.
All adult patrons on Sunday are in with a chance to take home $1000 cash in the Traction Ag Owner for a Day competition.
Eleven lucky ‘owners’ drawn from the barrel will each be allocated a horse engaged in the final event on the program – and to the victor, go the spoils.
Racegoers will enjoy live music from popular duo Darren Wardle and Jeff Woodward.
Children will be well looked after with free show bags, colouring books, a jumping castle, face painting and prize draws, while Poppy The Horse will give away icy poles and sweets.
The HERO horses from Monivae Park Hamilton will lead the field out onto the track for the running of the 2023 The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Pacing Cup and be available for everyone to meet and greet during the day.
Jen’s Canteen at the foot of the judge’s tower, Lions Club barbecue and West Side Cafe and Bistro will take care of hungry patrons.
So get your backside trackside and see you on Sunday at the Cup.