by Michael Howard
The decisive move in the $25,000 Trots Country Cups Championship could well play out this weekend at Ouyen, where Im Corzin Terror will be fancied to take a stranglehold on the crown.
A ripping day’s racing is on the cards, centred around the Group 3 $30,000 Greggs Electrical Ouyen Pacing Cup, when an Im Corzin Terror victory would see the Dean Braun-trained nine-year-old leapfrog Hectorjayjay into first place on the season-long championship.
To do so he’ll have to overcome a challenging draw and a very competitive, full field on a day that celebrates great racing and the state’s north-west in a family-friendly environment.
Ouyen Harness Racing Club secretary Jo Morrish said the town was in full voice, with this weekend also boasting the Great Mallee Root Festival, a food and music celebration centred around the Mallee stump, and the weekend-long Patchewollock sheep dog state titles.
“It is the first time the town has run the festival and having all these things on the weekend has created a bit of a buzz,” Ms Morrish said. “A lot of people I speak to are keen to get here and have a big weekend.”
There will be plenty of crossover between the events, including a ‘competition stump’ – which is about 10m in circumference – to feature at the trotting race day and the race card will also feature The Great Mallee Root 3YO Pace.
The good times will spill over to the off-course entertainment, made all the more lucrative by the fact all patrons are gifted free entry.
“It’s a good family day out and anyone who attends can get as much out of it as they want too,” Ms Morrish said.
“We always have free family entertainment with kids’ activities, including a rock climbing wall, and there will also be fashions on the field and local sporting clubs are involved to provide catering.
“The local people really support it, we get plenty there and try and make it a very special day. It’s our chance to get people coming who aren’t all racing people, but are keen to support something local.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
