Piff a snowball, get your boogie on and soak up the spectacle of more than 100 horses taking to the track.
That’s what is on offer Sunday when Mooroopna Harness Racing Club hosts its pacing and trotters cups at Shepparton, where it will stage a twilight meeting amid the Queen’s Birthday Weekend.
“To me and the committee, our cup meeting is the pinnacle of our club,” president Jeff Gledhill said. “We’re hoping people enjoy a good night’s racing. We have a snow machine for the kids to celebrate the start of the snow season, and there will be music and dancing with Callum Gleeson performing. It is a chance to see what grass roots harness racing is all about.”
Entertainment was boosted after the club secured a $10,800 grant from the State Government’s VRIF program, while further support has enabled the club to provide almost $14,000 in raffle prizes to participating trainers.
“This year we got a Tuza horse float at a discounted price and sponsor support that has meant we can offer this prize to trainers without costing the club,” Mr Gledhill said.
That showing of support to participants goes to the very core of the club, characteristics that it is keen to showcase on its cup day.
“Now that we no longer host racing at Mooroopna we have become more of an education club, and about 10 to 12 trainers use the all-weather track to educate their horses in preparation for racing,” Mr Gledhill said.
“To host a 10-race program at Shepparton of more than 100 horses just proves that the club can still support the industry.”
The 10-race program starts at 4.45pm, with race six featuring the Lift ‘N’ Shift Mooroopna Pacing Cup at 7.30pm and race seven the Eljaykay Phoenix Syndicate Mooroopna Trotters Cup at 8.02pm.
Entry is free and there is a $5 discount dining voucher to Mooroopna residents and visitors to the town’s caravan parks.
Michael Howard