This is the second of three articles looking at current active regional tracks in New South Wales. A brief review will be undertaken of the history of a club (previous/closed/current).
Regional Tracks –
Dubbo a city in the Orana Region of New South Wales located at the intersection of the Newell, Mitchell, and Golden highways. The nearest city Orange is about 144 kms (89 miles) away while Dubbo is located 303 kms (188 miles) northwest of Sydney.
Dubbo District Trotting and Pony Racing Club was formed in 1893 with its first mixed meeting held on 9 November where John Buckland’s Van Ness (Vancleve) won both trotting events. These meetings were held at the annual Dubbo Show (Dubbo Showgrounds) where trotting enthusiasts were thick on the ground in the district and the annual show was always well attended by spectators and participants. Earlier on 4 January 1893, Vancleve established an Australian trotter’s mile record of T2:28.00TT at Dubbo, first horse in Australia to better 2:30 for the mile (pacer Mystery recorded 2:29.5 at Sydney Showgrounds later in 1893).
The Dubbo District Trotting and Pony Club under the guidance of local Solicitor CH Fitzgerald was the strongest club in the State. Fitzgerald was a trotting devotee who bred, owned and trained harness horses. His town stables were located in north Dubbo not far from the current location of Dubbo Paceway.
The final Dubbo meeting of the club was held in November 1896 before meetings shifted to Kensington, Sydney – races included 2yo Futurity races (best of three half mile heats) with John Buckland’s 2yo Reply winning both events and Mares Produce Stakes (never run again by Dubbo club), a remarkable four heats in total won by Buckland horses who also won the Time Hcp Trot with Viva – five winners for the day. This meeting introduced a special lap indicator that had an arm raised when the field approached the winning post with a lap to run.
Dubbo conducted meetings at metropolitan Sydney’s six furlong Kensington pony track in the late nineteenth century (1897). The 22 July 1898 meeting included an exhibition by the great Fritz attempting to break his own record of T2:14 4/5 seconds for a mile set on 4 March 1896 (heat 3 same day, all new records at Moonee Valley). On the soft turf course at Kensington he still managed a time of T2:15¾. The four race programme consisted of a maiden trot, Wonbobbie Hcp (Young Irvington), FFA Trot (Huon Junior) all at a mile and Handicap Trot over two miles. Another meeting held on 30 March 1899 at which Fritz again gave an exhibition of trotting (T2:17.0).
Returning to racing at the Dubbo Show, all races were run in a clockwise direction up until 1951. After an opening meeting on 2 August 1958 the Dubbo Trotting (now Harness Racing) Club commenced racing under lights from December 1961. The track upgrade involved twelve local Show Society members contributing ₤100 to purchase a life membership. Steel was purchased to erect the track fence and lights with track maintenance undertaken by volunteer labour. Local business people loaned the Trotting Club machinery (front end loaders etc) to place granite on the track with the work being carried out at weekends. The new grandstand and facilities constructed in 1975 were opened by NSW Premier Jack Lang.
A new 804.5m crushed granite track was opened on 10 February 1996. The trotting track surrounds a fully top dressed 39000m2 main arena utilised for events that require open spaces. Bathurst legend Tony Turnbull drove the first winner of the new track (Bold Fox) while the last winner on the old track (Dropshot) on 29 April 1995 was driven by IJ Winbank. He had also driven his 2500th and 2700th winners on the Dubbo Paceway track. Opening night saw local icon Sam’s Memory and trainer-driver Ron Wiegold establish a track record mile rate of 1:57.7 (current record holder My Casino Belle 1:55.2, 2120m). The holder of the Australasian pacers time trial record of 1:52.6, Rowleyalla paraded on opening night with owner trainer driver Keven Rivett.
Many great Australian pacers have raced at Dubbo including dual Inter Dominion winner Hondo Grattan and Bundanoon while the track has hosted visits from Inter Dominion champions Our Sir Vancelot and Thorate immediately after their Inter wins. Others of note to race at Dubbo include grand mare Roma Hanover winner of her first race as a two year old at Dubbo; NSW pacer Lone Boy, who qualified for Koala King’s 1980 Inter Dominion Pacers Final while Dubbo owned/trained or driven horses have included Karloo Frost (NSW SS – 3), Oh Carolina (Ladyship Mile), Quamby’s Pride (Queensland Derby).
As with most other venues harness racing in Dubbo has been a strong family sport. Many local families have seen at least three generations participate including the Hoy and Lew families. In particular, owner-trainer-driver Barry Lew and millionaire winner Karloo Mick, second to Blacks A Fake in his first ID Pacers Grand Final at Hobart in 2006 come to mind.
Feature races at the Dubbo HRC include Dubbo City Cup and Red Ochre Mares Classic for pacing mares that commenced in 2000.
Eugowra a town in the Central West region of New South Wales split between Forbes Shire and Cabonne Shire local government area, 341 kms (212 miles) west of Sydney.
The 800m Eugowra crushed granite track opened in 1954 and is located one kilometre from the town centre. The Eugowra Harness Racing Club holds two race meetings per year (September & October). The Eugowra Canola Cup Carnival is a feature of the harness racing calendar – usually held annually in late September/early October (cancelled in 2020 due to COVID 19).
Well known race caller Mark McNamara considers that as far as special atmosphere goes Eugowra has what no other track in Australia has having called the races at there on a number of occasions. It is comparable to the special one off nature of the Kaikoura Cup meeting at South Bay racecourse in NZ that he was also particularly passionate about.
Forbes a town in the Central West region of New South Wales located on the Newell Highway between Parkes and West Wyalong. Located on the banks of the Lachlan River, Forbes is 245m (804 ft) above sea level and about 380 kms (240 miles) west of Sydney.
With interest in trotting from the 1860’s, every New Year’s Day meeting of Forbes JC featured a trot. With the Forbes Show commencing in 1884, on 3 August 1899, Fritz equalled his Australian trotter’s mile record of T2:14.0 (Brighton, 25 July 1898) at Forbes Showground. The Forbes Trotting Club was formed in 1906 and prior to that a number of pony and trotting meetings were run in aid of the local Fire Brigade. Forbes was the first club in NSW to feature 2yo races for progeny of a particular sire (Startle), the Goulburn club following seven months in this regard.
The Leader Sporting Weekly Edition on Saturday 25 August 1928 advised :
“In our advertising columns will be found particulars of the Inaugural meeting of the Lachlan Trotting Club, at Forbes. This newly formed club is kicking off with a programme for a one day meeting, on September 8. The members are intent on running it successfully, and are fully determined that everything will be above board in the right direction. Entries for all events close with the secretary, J. Fell, at Forbes on Friday August 31, 1928.”
The 792m Forbes Showground track will host two meetings in 2021 for the Forbes HRC. In July 2020, it was announced that $155,751 in improvement works to four local showgrounds will be released as part of a NSW Government COVID-19 stimulus package. The Forbes ($64,400 for repairs to the roof of the poultry pavilion), Parkes, Canowindra and Eugowra ($8,351 to install desks and storage facilities and a kitchenette in the Secretary’s office) showgrounds were approved for further upgrade work to improve the safety, use and condition of their infrastructure and support jobs in the local economy.
This funding followed the announcement in June 2020 of $551,093 in improvement works to showgrounds at Forbes, Orange, Canowindra, Manildra, Tullamore, Eugowra, Trundle, Molong, Bedgerabong, Cumnock, Cudal and Yeoval. A total of 153 showgrounds across NSW received stimulus funding in the current financial year.
The NSW Government allocated a further $10.77 million to its showground stimulus program bringing the total to $35.77 million across the state – $23.27 million allocated in 2020/21 financial year to support showground upgrades with a further $12.5 million to be spent in the 2021/22 financial year.
Goulburn a regional city in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, approximately 195 kms (121 miles) southwest of Sydney and 90 kms (56 miles) northeast of Canberra.
The Olympic Sports Ground Company formed in 1885 negotiated the purchase of ten acres of land from Charles Thomas to develop a sporting complex. The first official trotting club in NSW resulted from the formation of Goulburn Trotting Club in 1887 – a mixed meeting including two trots was held on 7 October 1887 followed by the inaugural TC meeting on the Prince Of Wales birthday, 9 November 1887 were held on a one mile 66 yds grass track. It cost 2/6 to enter the grandstand, 2/6 for dinner or go hungry as there was no refreshment stall on course, 1/- for a race card, there was a publicans booth but it was impossible to purchase a cup of tea (Wednesday meeting).
The inaugural meeting consisted of three trots including an Open Hcp trot over two miles -three divisions and final; Hcp Galloway trot over two miles – three divisions and final and Ajax Stakes, sweepstake – best two of three heats, over one mile for progeny of Ajax.
In 1904 the Goulburn Racing Club commenced negotiations for the purchase of the Olympic Grounds with a temporary lease being taken out. After a great number of improvements and additions were affected the Goulburn Racing Club purchased the old Olympic Grounds which were situated between the present Goulburn paceway and Garoorigang.
Goulburn was one of the first clubs to hold a tote meeting in 1917 and by 1926 was conducting £500 meetings with a £200 Cup. By the late 1920’s and early 1930’s (1934) there were up to four district clubs in Goulburn conducting trotting races (Goulburn Tatts, Goulburn ARC, Goulburn TC, North Goulburn), each allowed twelve meetings although not all were utilised. Goulburn was also the first club in NSW to stage a Standardbred Derby in 1929 (£300) followed by Parkes a few months later, both races won by Dixie Derby gelding My Chum (VIC Derby, Fremantle Cup). Goulburn also held a Trotters Derby in 1929 worth £200 won by Wilbur Lou filly Florrie Lucy.
Goulburn was for many years the hub of country trotting in the depression years going on to produce such horses as Friendly Footman (NSW Breeders Plate, NSW SS – 3, Miracle Mile) and Gundary Flyer (AUS/VIC Derbies, NSW Sires Produce -3, Miracle Mile, 1:56.1TT).
A new cinders track was built in 1949 (834 yds/766m) which was altered to its current crushed rock 1050m in 2005. The Goulburn Harness Racing Club Inc operates the Goulburn Paceway situated at the Goulburn Recreation Area located a few minutes from the city centre. The Grace Millsom Function Centre which provides the necessary spectator facilities was officially opened on the 16 February 2014 by the honourable Geoff Kettle, Mayor of Goulburn Mulwaree Council. The state of the art Function Centre is named after Greyhound enthusiast Norman Grace and harness racing stalwart Gordon Millsom. Utilised for weddings, functions and group meetings or receptions with catering is provided by Goulburn Events Management under the management of Mrs Marcia Grant.
The Goulburn club races ten times a year with the season spanning from December to June. The club’s feature race meetings are the Hewitt Memorial Crookwell Race day in mid-January (including Walla Walla Stakes) and the Carnival of Cups (Goulburn Pacers Cup, Goulburn Rose, Mulwaree Sprint) held on Australia Day weekend annually – winners of the Pacers Cup over the past decade have included Karloo Mick, Washakie, Baby Bling, For A Reason, Yayas Hot Sot and Tiger Tara.
The Goulburn Paceway is the training base of the Day and Hewitt families who among them have won NSW trainers’ championships and numerous classic and feature races. The resting place of the immortal pacer Walla Walla who inspired a nation during the 1930’s depression era. A memorial commemorating this champion Standardbred marks his burial site at the top of the home straight.
Griffith a major regional city in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area that is located in the north-western part of the Riverina region of New South Wales.
The Griffith Racecourse is located at Dalton Park approximately four kms from the town centre. Griffith Jockey Club formed in 1964 replaced the Griffith Race Club which had been disbanded years earlier. The club ran successfully for many years before going into recess in 2004 due to lack of numbers before re-forming in 2009 and successfully holding meetings since. The Griffith Jockey Clubs one race meeting a year on the second Saturday in September is an important local social event. The thoroughbred course consists of a kikuyu surface of 1600m with a 200m chute.
The Griffith HRC also races at Dalton Park Racecourse on an 800m circuit positioned inside the galloping track with a 163m straight and no sprint lane. Its two annual meetings are held at night on Melbourne Cup Day (heats Griffiths Pacers Cup) in early November and the Pacers Cup final (Carnival of Cups) the following Saturday night.
Inverell a large town in northern New South Wales situated on the Macintyre River, close to the Queensland border is located on the Gwydir Highway on the western slopes of the Northern Tablelands.
Opening in 1959 on a 660yd track at the Showgrounds, the Inverell club relocated to the Inverell Racecourse (Inverell Jockey Club course) for the period between 1963 and 1983. A 750m track was rebuilt at the Inverell Showground in 1989. The club holds its carnival of Cups meeting annually in March (2020 Inverell Cup race abandoned). Earlier the first trotting races were conducted at the Show in 1931.
Junee a medium sized town in the Riverina region of New South Wales.
The Junee Club first conducted a race meeting on 10 August 1910 utilising the 1m 180 yd grass thoroughbred track. The original Junee Pacers Cup was held on this track between 1922 and 1928.
The Junee HRC now utilises the 800m Laurie Daly Oval at the Junee Showground for its annual meetings between October and May. The current Junee Pacers Cup was first run in 1969.
On Australia Day 26 January 2011, the Junee club celebrated its “Centenary of Trotting” in conjunction with its Carnival of Cups meeting. Displays of the local history of harness racing were provided at the paceway.
Leeton a town located in the Riverina region of southern New South Wales approximately 550 kms west of Sydney and 450 kms north of Melbourne in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.
The Leeton TC opened for racing on a half mile track at Leeton Showground in 1916 and is situated next to the Leeton Jockey Club’s course. Night trotting commenced on the now 804m track in 1953.
Trotter Carlottas Pride time trialled in T2:05.0TT on 5 April 1958 on the Leeton track which featured two Leeton Pacers Cup’s in 1926 and then most years since 1945 as well as the Leeton Breeders Plate for two year olds continuously from 1955.
Maitland a city in the Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales situated on the Hunter River approximately 166 kms (103 miles) by road north of Sydney and 35 kms (22 miles) northwest of Newcastle.
Maitland Trotting Track and Showground is a reserve situated in South Maitland, close to West Maitland Park. It held its first meeting (at night) on 22 October 1927 and was allocated a further four under lights in 1927). Subsequent meetings held in the daytime due to the Conservative Government’s ban on betting after twilight. Further attempts to race at night fell by the wayside with the majority of clubs being unable to see any merit in running night racing.
The Maitland HRC currently race on five occasions each season on their 776m track with 140m straight. Apart from inclusion of their Pacers Cup in the annual Carnival of Cups series over the Christmas period, the Inter City Pace which is raced at the same meeting has featured since 1962.
Narrabri a town in the North West Slopes, NSW on the Namoi River, 521 kms (324 miles) northwest of Sydney.
Racing on the 805m track with 135m straight (no sprint lane) at the Narrabri Showgrounds, its inaugural meeting was held on 4 October 1975. The Narrabri HRC’s feature event is its annual Cup meeting in April (not run 2020 due to COVID 19).
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales.
A few meetings were held at night in the Northern Coalfields area after tentative State Government approval – Newcastle’s were held on the speedway track at the back of Broadmeadow racecourse with the first in September 1927, one of fifteen meetings allocated. Like other attempts at night racing, these fell by the wayside.
The Broadmeadow Showgrounds trotting track opened under lights on 16 December 1949 with racing continuing at this tight 586yd (551m) Newcastle venue until its final meeting on 20 August 1988. For a short period from December 1974 until 1978 an enforced amalgamation of Cessnock, Maitland and the Newcastle clubs caused Newcastle close down temporarily – Maitland was selected as the central track for amalgamation.
A new track, the Newcastle International Paceway opened on 21 October 1989 originally as a 940m track which has subsequently been upgraded to 1000m. The Broadmeadows Showground and Paceway venues are close to each other and reached from Jackson St.
Newcastle Paceway regularly hosts Newcastle Maitland Mini Trot races during the warmer months. The junior drivers and mini trot ponies are very popular with patrons especially children.
Newcastle featured its Pacing Cup from 1954 – 2013 and the Newcastle Mile since 1989 where winners have established Australasian race mile records on two occasions – Quantum Lobell holds the record of three consecutive Newcastle Mile victories (1994 – 1996).
The quickest mile paced at Newcastle is Majordan’s 2020 Newcastle Mile in 1:50.7 (21 February 2020; also won in 1:51.4, 2018). Heats of the 2002 (winners : Courage Under Fire, Shakamaker, Stars and Stripes) and 2010 Interdominions (winners : ID champion Blacks A Fake, Monkey King, Bondy, Washakie) were run at Newcastle as part of that year’s Sydney ID championships. Newcastle is due to host heats of the 2021 Sydney Interdominions on Sunday 5 December. Three heats of the 2015 World Drivers Championships were contested at a February Sunday twilight meeting at Newcastle Paceway (winning drivers : Chris Alford AUS, Tony le Beller France, Mika Forss Finland).
The Newcastle HRC provides first class dining options throughout its complex including the massive Pacers restaurant with its four tiers of restaurant space and spectacular glass frontage that offers uninterrupted views of the track and beyond (see below).
Next Time : New South Wales regional tracks : Parkes to Young
Peter Craig
17 November 2021
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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