Gold is not the only thing that binds the two “BHRC” harness racing clubs, Bendigo and Bathurst together.
There are many surprising similarities between the two regional cities and clubs:
- Edward Hargreaves discovered a 'grain of gold' in a billabong near Bathurst in 1851 sparking the NSW gold rush, while alluvial gold was discovered along the banks of the Bendigo Creek in 1851 and resulted in a major gold rush
- Bendigo with 110,000 residents and Bathurst with 42,000 are both major regional centres, with Bendigo 150km and Bathurst 200km from their state capitals
- Bendigo and Bathurst both began night trotting racing a year apart: Bathurst 1953, Bendigo 1954
- Both clubs hold a large number of TAB meetings annually with Bathurst running 50 race meetings and Bendigo conducting 34 in 2015
- Both were once the home of the famous Cobb and Co coach service. Cobb and Co’s first services began in 1854 between Melbourne and Bendigo. James Rutherford (also the breeder of legendary sire Globe Derby) shifted the headquarters and 10 coaches and nearly 100 horses from Bendigo district to Bathurst in 1862, where a massive coach building factory was built
- Juvenile stakes racing was developed by both clubs:
The Bathurst Gold Crown commenced in1987 while Bendigo developed the Breeders’ Crown in 1998 before it was taken over by HRV to become the Australasian Breeders’ Crown.
Bendigo marketing manager Brendan Baker and Bathurst CEO Danny Dwyer have developed a joint initiative where the two BHRCs will become sister clubs.
They see many opportunities for sharing of ideas, tourism opportunities around the Bathurst Gold Crown and the return to Bendigo of the Australasian Breeders Crown semi-finals.
Both cities also host major annual events including the Bathurst 1000 car race and the Bendigo Easter Fair Carnival.
Both Brendan Baker and Danny Dwyer see many benefits to the clubs and the communities from the establishment of sister club relationships:
- Sister club signage that will be seen during Sky Racing coverage of races from both tracks
- Reciprocal membership rights
- Promotion of the clubs in monthly club newsletters, to members, owners, trainers and drivers
- In-house marketing to promote each venue. This could involve yearly joint race dates with accommodation options for people visiting each city either for harness racing or holidays
- The clubs to organise a Gold Crown Tour and a Bendigo Pacing Cup Tour
- Two chances for “Dual Club” meetings that race on the same dates. In 2016 it is May 18 and June 22.
- Promotion through the Harness Racing Australia website with press releases and stories.
Cody Winnell
Harness Racing Victoria