by Michael Howard
The good times kick off at Mildura tonight to start a five-day trots celebration like no other.
The Park Douglas Printing Mildura Pacing Cup Carnival blends a showcase of racing with a hearty social calendar, all leading to the $60,000 Group 2 on Saturday night when the ilk of Menin Gate, Major Crocker, Milly Perez and Messini will covet the crown.
Mildura Harness Racing Club secretary Tim Scala said they looked certain to have “a really competitive field” for the cup, boosted by the lure of the Trots Country Cups Championship, which for the first time gifts a cash boost to the connections of the season’s star performer.
“The cup field looks very even and a few trainers are vying for the $25,000 bonus and so are setting their horses for these races,” he said.
The road to the big one begins tonight with the cup heats at 8.30pm and 9.30pm, held amid the Mark Gurry & Associates Cup heats that will showcase talented four-year-olds like Perspective, Majordan and Flojos Gold. “The Mark Gurry cup will also be a very good final on Saturday night after the Tuesday heats,” Mr Scala said.
The fun continues with the Ladies Luncheon tomorrow, when Murrayville sporting legend Rachael Sporn will be the guest speaker (bookings to 5023 5005). The 1-5pm luncheon at Mildura’s The Cider Tree also acts as a fundraiser for the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation, of which Sporn is the CEO.
“It’s a chance for the ladies and their partners to have a day out,” Mr Scala said. “We will also interview a few of the drivers who will be participating in the ladies drivers’ challenge on the Thursday during the presentation.”
That challenge will feature nine drivers in the Bokissa Private Island Resort Pace, race one on the Thursday card when Ellen Torney, Ros Rolfe, Kathy Watson, Emma Hamblin, Kerryn Manning, Tanya Cavallaro, Kiara Davies, Ashleigh Camilleri and Kimberly Talent will face off.
The challenge also includes a Fashion On The Field event that evening, with points accumulated from the two events to decide the winner of more than $6000 in prizes.
“We have (HRV marketing co-ordinator) Courtney Thompson and three local ladies, who all work in the fashion industry, who will judge on dress, fascinators and accessories.”
The night will also feature a pony trots race and they will have their own fashions on the field, while racing centres around the $14,000 Seelite Windows & Doors Mildura Trotters Cup.
The good times roll on Friday with a golf tournament from 10am to which all are welcome (bookings 5023 2454), followed by the sold out evening on the Paddle Steamer Mundoo, featuring the cup Calcutta.
And then it’s on to the big one, the Park Douglas Printing Mildura Pacing Cup Group 2 final, which claims top billing on a night that will see $176,000 in stakes won.
“I’ve been here about four months and from day one I’ve been planning for the cup and looking at ways to attract everyone to make sure we have that carnival atmosphere,” Mr Scala said. “I’m looking forward to it and hope people get along and have a great night.”
With free children’s activities, including an air bungee and rock wall, a DJ at the Inside Rail Cider Branch and great service in the Sandpit, an $8000 fashions on the field contest and the $3000 Sporting Clubs Members Challenge there promises to be plenty for everyone.
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