The annual Hewitt Memorial race day will be held at the Goulburn Paceway this Sunday afternoon, January 12.
Celebrating the memory of Tom and Angela Hewitt, the afternoon also provides the Crookwell community with an opportunity to raise funds for the charitable works of the Crookwell Community Trust.
What started off as a race to honour two great stalwarts of the harness racing industry, the Hewitt Memorial race day has evolved into an afternoon of high class harness racing action and community engagement.
"The Crookwell Community Trust raises money that is used to provide immediate support to Upper Lachlan residents who may suffer extreme difficulties due to personal and or natural disasters," club treasurer Mark Croatto said.
With the current bush fire emergency ravaging country side throughout eastern Australia, the role of the Crookwell Community Trust is brought to the fore.
"Fortunately the Upper Lachlan has been spared, so far the catastrophe other areas have experienced" Croatto said, "however, with the threat of fire ever present, it is reassuring for local people to know support is available should it be needed."
As in previous years, Trust members will conduct a major raffle with multiple prizes including a $150 dinner voucher at The Argyle Inn, Taralga where patrons can delight in the delicacies of the world class kitchen.
Other prizes include a JD's Hardware Rural Supplies gift voucher, a Meats A Treat voucher and a carton of quality wine bottles.
Community Trust members will set up inside the Grace Millsom Function Centre and the harness club encourages all those attending the race meeting to generously purchase tickets in the raffle.
All funds raised on the day will be used to bolster a pool of money that can instantly be made available to people who are in distress, when they needed it the most, which is usually immediately after the emergency has arisen. To meet the needs of those who require help, the Trust must remain financial and Sunday's raffle is but one of the annual fund raising efforts the trust conducts.Sunday's meeting will also celebrate the memory of Aubrey Frost and Robert Allport, two other harness racing trainers both of whom were heavily involved in the harness racing sport in Crookwell.
For the pleasure of those attending, further entertainment will be provided throughout the afternoon by brothers Lachlan and Thomas Bensley who perform as Short Notice. The brothers debuted at last year's Hewitt Memorial day and will show their singing talents in between races.
On the racing front, Bathurst based trainer Bernie Hewitt will be aiming the well performed mare Write About Lexy at the $12,720 Tom Angela Hewitt Memorial. Hewitt has won the last two editions of the Hewitt Memorial with Royal Story in 2018 and Katchmeifucan last year.
"She's a nice mare who finished second in the Hanlon Sprint at Parkes last start. We'll be nominating her and she should get a run" Hewitt said.
Goulburn training team of David and Brad Hewitt will be pinning their hopes on Im Bruce Almighty and The Texas Ranger. Both pacers will be resuming from spells however they established their credentials for Sunday's race with sound race performances last season.
The Goulburn Harness Racing Club thanked its sponsors for their continuing support, which makes the race days possible.
For all the latest Goulburn harness racing news visit the club's website at www.goulburnpaceway.com.au and don't forget to like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/goulburnpaceway/ or follow the club on Twitter https://twitter.com/GoulburnHarness.
Goulburn Harness Racing Club