ANZAC Day at Forbes

ANZAC Day will be celebrated by the Forbes Diggers Harness Racing Club this afternoon with a strong nine-race program.

But more importantly a ceremony will be held to remember and pay respect to our fallen war heroes.

The club was formed by returned servicemen in 1953, hence the inclusion of “Diggers” in the club’s name and racing has been run at the Forbes Paceway ever since.

These days Forbes only races twice a year, and for the first time, ANZAC Day will be the club’s feature meeting as part of the state’s TAB Carnival of Cups promotion.

Seven horses will contest the feature race, the Forbes Diggers Cup to be run over the 2500 metre journey.

Bathurst trainer Steve Turnbull holds the key to the race with Saint Emilion and Major Bracken, both of whom will be favoured to take out the Cup.

Major Bracken is backing up from an eye-catching fourth at Wagga 10 days ago in a race won by Rossini, while Saint Emilion ran second two starts back at Bathurst in fast time.

Prominent local trainer Jason Gaffney is hoping he can take out the Robert Lee Memorial, a race which honours his late grandfather.

Gaffney has two runners in the race, Tackas Last Dance and Uptown Beachgirl and is confident both horses will perform well.

“To win Pop’s race would be very special,” said Gaffney.

“I was very close to him, and he taught me so much over the years, particularly when it come to the horses.

“I have decided to drive Uptown Beachgirl in the race.

“She has loads of ability and despite her being first-up from a spell and being drawn out in gate five, she will be in the race for a long way.

“Nathan Turnbull will drive Tackas Last Dance, who won her last start for him before going for a spell.

“Nathan is one of the best horsemen in our district and previously trained this mare, so he knows all about her.”

Another feature on today’s program is the Forbes RSL Sub-branch Les Finley Memorial Club Menangle Country Series Heat.

Kulani Courage, who is trained and driven by Mat Rue, appears to have a stranglehold on the race after drawing gate one.

The gelding is racing in top form and despite being up in grade at Parkes on Wednesday night, finished a strong third.