The greater Elmore community is bubbling with excitement ahead of the club’s big Boxing Day cup, which marks the return of racing to the track.
Having not seen a race day in 11 years, more than 1000 people will flock to the Simmie St track for Monday’s eight-race card, says Elmore Harness Racing Club secretary-treasurer Cliff Powell.
“It is fantastic to have it back,” he said. “The local people are backing us 100 per cent, they are as happy as.”
The race day will be the result of a lot of work by Mr Powell, his fellow Elmore committee members and a big team of helpers, with facility upgrades enabling the day to go ahead, aided by funding from the State Government’s Victorian Racing Industry Fund.
“I’m passionate about the industry,” Mr Powell said. “I believe the grass roots people are the foundation of the industry. It’s a pyramid and the battlers at the bottom are holding up the lot. We need these meetings.”
And participants have also shown their support, with an eight-race card including the O’Sullivans Elmore Pacing Cup at 2.35pm.
“This has developed into a part of the year where there are so many races on, so I think we’ve done a fantastic job to get these fields,” he said. “There are about 50 horses trained here and four or five people come to work at the track from outlying areas.”
They will step out in front of a hearty crowd, with the club’s 10 mini marquees booking out within a week, while a host of families are also expected to savour the day’s many child-friendly activities.
“We’ve got a petting zoo and a face painter for the little kids, and a waterslide for the kids who are a bit bigger. There will also be a live band, who are very popular locally. People are keen to bring the kids along and have a day at the trots like they used to have when they themselves were kids.”
The meeting will be a non-TAB meeting, and so races can only be bet on on-course via the multiple bookmakers operating. Sky Channel vision will be beamed on-course, ensuring punters and patrons don’t miss a moment, including from Monday’s thoroughbreds at Caulfield.
“A lot of the old guys love to bet with the bookmakers, it can be more of a social thing as well,” Mr Powell said. “That sums up the whole day. It will be a social event as well as a good day’s racing.”
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