The duo race under the auspices of a joint promotion between HRV and EFC that sees the club’s two social venues – the Essendon Football & Community Sporting Club and the Melton Country Club – lease and race one pacer each, all in the name of charity.

Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy was on hand at Windy Hill to accept the cheque from Windyhillbomber, the Clyde-based pacer whose stable name is ‘Sheedy’, and his regular driver, six-time Australian premiership winner Chris Alford.

The figure represents the lessee’s percentage (66%) of both pacers’ earnings throughout the 2002-03 racing season, which concluded on 31 August.

In a season hampered by setbacks, the Jayne Davies-trained and Essendon Football & Community Sporting Club-raced, Windyhillbomber, started nine times for two wins and three placings, in the process amassing $6,273.23 for charity.

Fellow 3-Year-Old, Spy Catcher, was a new addition for the Melton Country Club in March and after taking time to find her feet for Bendigo trainer Bruce Morgan she finished with a wet sail posting five wins and five placings from 18 starts to earn $11,356.92 for charity.

“The Bombers Harness Syndicate has proved to be an excellent initiative for both ourselves and Harness Racing Victoria, providing not only value added membership for Essendon supporters, but importantly helping charities within the local community,” Essendon Football Club Chairman, Graeme McMahon, said.

“We have been delighted with the efforts of Windyhillbomber and more recently Spy Catcher, in particular the interest they have generated amongst Essendon supporters and the funds they have amassed over the past 18 months.

“Taking last season’s efforts into account, both the Windy Hill and Melton social clubs will have donated in excess of $25,000 to the local community within two years as a direct result of this initiative. That’s a figure we are very proud of.

“We look forward to their continued success this season, starting with Windyhillbomber who will give the members something to cheer in race eight at Kilmore tomorrow afternoon.”

Harness Racing Victoria Chairman Neil Busse paid credit to prominent Echuca breeders Alan Galloway of Alabar Bloodstock and Geoff Waters who leased the duo to the Bombers Harness Syndicate.

“We can’t thank Alan and Geoff enough for their generosity in leasing this duo to aid such a worthy cause. They have put the interests of the industry before their own and for that we are extremely grateful,” Busse said.

“Credit also to Jayne Davies and Bruce Morgan who have guided their careers and ensured the duo maximise their earning potential on the track.

“We have been delighted with the exposure and promotional opportunities that this initiative has delivered and hope that Essendon’s 30,000 members continue to sample the excitement of harness racing whilst supporting Windyhillbomber and Spy Catcher.”

Courtesy Of Shaun Kelly, Harness Racing Victoria