Such a grand stage merits the best warriors and those two elements will come together in barnstorming style on Saturday night when Lazarus is unleashed for the 2017 PETstock Ballarat Pacing Cup.
Mark Purdon’s brilliant Bettors Delight entire returns to Bray Raceway as a beefed up mighty four-year-old, 12 months on from his dominant display in last year’s Victoria Derby heats.
Ballarat and District Trotting Club chief executive Paul Rowse can barely contain his excitement.
“The cup field is small but the top couple of horses are elite and I couldn’t ask for much more,” Mr Rowse said.
“All the buzz is around Lazarus being in the cup and it is fantastic to have him. With Lennytheshark and Smolda also there we have the NZ Trotting Cup, Inter Dominion, Hunter Cup and Victoria Cup champions all in the one race, so the horse flesh is taken care of on the night.”
Mr Rowse said the champion Kiwi would draw faces new and old through the gates.
“Lazarus will bring a lot of non-trotting people in who want to see the best horse in Australia and New Zealand,” he said. “He is an absolutely awesome horse.”
But when he reiterated that “the racing will be the showcase”, he wasn’t only referring to the night’s $120,000 Group 1 feature.
The E B Cochran Trotters Cup, a Group 2 showcase worth $30,000, has also attracted an outstanding field, including New Zealand visitors Daryl Boko (Tim Butt) and Prince Fearless (Mark Purdon), Sydney star On Thunder Road and a host of Victorians at the peak of their powers.
“They are the best group of trotters that have been assembled for some time in Victoria,” Mr Rowse said. “There is also a good local connection with the Golino stable having three runners. We could see the next star raise their head.”
To complement the racing Ballarat has a number of tasty side dishes, including the Corona Island Bar, family entertainment, live music, the Good Form punters club and dining packages are still available.
“For those after something a little bit different we will have the Corona Island Bar,” Rowse said. “It will be for people who like things a bit more casual, but there will also be some Spanish and Mexican-inspired food.”
And no doubt a well-known face, Trots Country Cups ambassador Billy Brownless, will be among those to stop in for a frothy.
“Billy Brownless will be everywhere. We will bring back Billy’s big wheel and some lucky people will be able to have a beer with him.”
Dining packages are still available in the family-friendly grandstand room, while children’s activities will keep the little ones chipper. Click here for details and bookings information.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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