Older harness racing enthusiasts say there was nothing like a night at the Wayville trots.
Home to the South Australian Harness Racing Club from 1934 to 1973, the Wayville track was 510 metres in circumference, and described as racing in a colosseum.
Especially during the 50s and 60s, crowds flocked to the track in the halcyon days of the sport with names such as Webster, Holberton, Messenger and Shinn being household names.
But the sport moved to its current home at Globe Derby Park in 1973 and Wayville became part of history.
Harness Racing South Australia, in an attempt to promote the sport, has taken harness racing back to Wayville during the 2016 Royal Adelaide Show.
For all ten days of the Royal Show, two harness races will be held each night around 7pm (5:45pm on Sunday 11 Sept).
Chair of Stewards Barbara Scott said each race would consist of six horses – two rows of three – racing over a two laps.
Ms Scott said the first few nights have been really well accepted.
“Good crowds have taken the opportunity to have a enjoy the races,” Ms Scott said.
“Commentators Jim Jacques and Ray Fewings have been brilliant explaining everything to the patrons and raising the excitement level during the events.”
“Keith Routley, who is 72 and actually drove at Wayville, won both the races on Saturday night while Ray Laintoll, who turns 90 next month and who also drove there back in the day, had a competitive drive on Friday night.”
Current day trainer Lance Holberton, son of the famous Alby Holberton, the leading trainer at Wayville, has drives on several nights and said it had been a “good buzz.”
Holberton’s son, current in-form driver Josh, also took the opportunity to have a drive around a part of history with his Dad pipping him at the post in a great competition on Sunday night. The crowds errupted when Jim Jacques announced that it was Lance’s first win as a driver!
This event has brought together a passionate blend of industry participants including racing regulars such as Naomi Shelbourn, David Jolly, Andrew Gilbert, Michael Laird, John Lee, Tiffany Lee and Lance Holberton. The last few nights have seen some of the young guns of the sport enjoying this rare opportunity to ‘race at Wayville’ including Josh Holberton, Wayne Hill and Shane Turner.
With enthusiastic crowds and dedicated industry participants, one can’t help but ask the question, should racing return to Wayville?
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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