The 2016 TAB.com.au Summer of Glory carnival is under way after a colourful media launch at Tabcorp Park Melton today.
The $1.65 million carnival, Australasia’s premier trots event, will feature the $400,000 Good Form Victoria Cup and the $500,000 Del-Re National A.G. Hunter Cup across two colossal Saturday nights at Tabcorp Park Melton on January 30 and February 6 next year.
Today’s launch saw media, sporting personalities and the Victorian Racing Minister and Attorney-General, the Hon. Martin Pakula, battling it out on the trots track in double-seater sulky charity races.
Driving the horses were trots stars Kerryn Manning, Kate Gath, Greg Sugars and Nathan Jack.
Sitting alongside the stars were Mr Pakula, AFL greats Billy Brownless and Cameron Mooney, Channel 9’s Clint Stanaway, Herald Sun’s Danny Russell, TAB.com.au’s Adam Hamilton and Nick Quinn and Harness Breeders Victoria’s Desiree Pettit.
Mr Pakula and Brownless won the two races, netting $2000 from Harness Racing Victoria to their charities of choice – Ballarat Hospice on behalf of Mr Pakula and the Geelong Hospital in Brownless’ name. The charities nominated by all other participants in the race received a $1000 donation.
Mr Pakula described the ride in the sulky as “absolutely unbelievable … one of the best experiences I’ve had”.
“It was not just a privilege but also very exciting to be in the sulky today (alongside Kerryn Manning),” he said.
Today’s launch also saw the unveiling of HRV’s new TrotsCam, which will revolutionise the way the trots is presented.
TrotsCam, a project supported by the Victorian State Government under the Raceday Attraction Program, will bring trots fans closer to the action than ever before.
Mr Pakula wished all participants well in their Summer of Glory pursuits.
“I want to wish all the owners, trainers and drivers the very best of luck for the Summer of Glory. I know it will showcase harness racing at its very best and will be a great attraction for all those who love the sport,” he said.
“We’re very committed as a Government to supporting harness racing and we’ve provided $1.7 million this year from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund to support harness racing.”
HRV CEO John Anderson said the 2016 TAB.com.au Summer of Glory would present great opportunities for horses of all age groups to race for almost $2million in stake money.
“The Summer of Glory will showcase the best horses in Australasia across two huge nights,” he said.
“The carnival will present the harness racing community and the local community in general to experience our sport at its very best at an accessible location.
“Participants have added incentive with extra prizemoney on offer for horses of all ages.”
Billy Brownless and Kerryn Manning win!
TAB.com.au Summer of Glory website
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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