by Michael Howard
A wave of momentum is rippling through Wangaratta where the trots are taking hold and are set to peak with a peachy Sunday twilight cup meet.
For the first time in more than a decade Wangaratta Harness Racing Club will host two meetings in a season, following its successful January 25 race day with its traditional twilight cup.
Club secretary Bernadette Costantino said initial fears the locals wouldn’t return for a second taste of trots had been well and truly abated.
“It was great to have the additional meeting in January but there was a worry that it might take away from our cup, but the town is really buzzing about the cup and a lot of people are interested in getting along,” Ms Costantino said.
“We had about 1200 people for our January meeting and I’m pretty confident that the people who were there will come back.”
They will have plenty of reason to get to Avian Park Raceway, not least of all for the nine-race program, a first for the club.
The showcase North East Fasteners Wangaratta Cup features a full field including St Arnaud Pacing Cup champion Cardon Merger for trainer Kent Harpley.
“It’s been great that all the trainers have supported the clubs like us and St Arnaud and Boort, it makes such a big difference to our big day.”
And in the midst of the on-course racing feast will be plenty of off-course activities for those of all ages.
“We are a family club and are very grass roots and with the public holiday the next day we want everyone to come along and have a great afternoon,” Ms Costantino said.
“We’ve got a bucking bull, a jumping castle, face painting, Trixie the clown and, the most popular thing of all, a DJ who can meet all musical tastes.”
All bodes for a big afternoon, the result of much hard work by the club’s band of volunteers and no shortage of help from neighbouring club Shepparton.
“We owe a lot to Shepparton Harness Racing Club because we are bringing in some of their staff to make it as professionally run as we can,” Ms Costantino said.
“It’s a lot of work. We’re otherwise all volunteers. Michael Carey and Mark Carey, my dad and brother, do all of the track work and I’m a volunteer secretary, so it becomes a big family affair and there are a lot of other volunteers who pitch in too to make it all happen.”
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