Anticipation is at fever pitch ahead of a cup day many have had circled on their calendars for some time.
The $60,000 Neatline Homes Shepparton Gold Cup has lured arguably Australia’s most electric pacer, Hectorjayjay, and plenty of punters and trots fans.
Shepparton trots club manager Ian McDonald said a big crowd was expected with the club’s reservations “totally booked out” for “the first time in my 10 years”.
“It’s a pretty good sign,” Mr McDonald said. “Over the last few years the complex has developed and people are coming back.”
The club is committed to putting smiles on little dials, with off-track activities geared towards ensuring children have a cheap, fun day out.
“The key to the whole thing for the Shepparton Harness Racing Club is that we have always promoted it as a family night and there is a strong emphasis on catering for the kids during school holidays,” Mr McDonald said.
“We will have all of the face painting, the petting zoos, jumping castles, which will all be free and people respect that.”
And for those trackside for the thunder of hooves there will be no shortage of entertainment. While a cloud hovers over cup favourite Hectorjayjay, Allblack Stride, Major Star, Tact Tate, Pepe Bromac and Five Star Anvil are among the talent chasing Group 2 glory.
Beyond the cup, strong fields have amassed for The George Gath, the Group 3 trot featuring both Maori Time and Glenferrie Typhoon, while talented three-year-olds Astride, Emain Macha, Albarock and The Defiant will be among contestants in the Graham Head Memorial 3YO Classic.
“All Black Stride and Hectorjayjay are two of the fastest horses in Australia and so it will be a pretty good contest and a very good horse will win the Shepparton Cup,” Mr McDonald said. “The trotters will be very competitive, there are some very good horses in the three-year-old races and the pony trots always create a lot of on-track interest.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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