01 March 2018 | Tony Logan
Horsham Harness Racing Club today revealed the star-studded line up to contest the 28th annual Decron Horse Care Noel Smith Memorial Horsham Invitation Drivers’ Championship on Monday March 12.
The 10 invitees for the 2018 edition are Kerryn Manning (Vic), Ryan Warwick (WA), Chris Alford (Vic), Chris Geary (NSW), Greg Sugars (Vic), Ryan Hyrhorec (SA), Kate Gath (Vic), Gareth Rattray (Tas), Gavin Lang (Vic) and Peter McMullen (QLD).
“It is another wonderful field,” said Horsham club CEO Jo Cross. “We will have five top Victorians including last year’s champion Chris Alford here to take on drivers from all corners of Australia.”
Merv Butterworth, of Decron Horse Care, said the company was proud to continue its long association with Horsham’s unique event.
“All the drivers hold this contest in very high regard,” he said. “That they so readily take up the opportunity to compete and are prepared to give up their time to travel from far and wide speaks volumes for its status.”
The club and Butterworth also announced that the Noel Smith Memorial Horsham Invitation Drivers Championship would continue into the year 2020 under the umbrella of Decron Horse Care.
“Our partnership of the past seven years is now formally extended to 10,” Ms Cross said. “It gives us the opportunity to work with Decron and promote both the drivers’ championship and the race day itself, which recognises the contribution of all our industry participants.”
Drivers will compete in four penalty-free $7000 races at Horsham with the winner on points to join the elite Noel Smith Memorial Honour Roll and collect a $1500 Travel Insights Melbourne or Melton Saddlery credit voucher.
The 10 competitors will each receive a Decron Horse Care show bag containing a Decron Leg Wrap Poultice, Decron Hoof Care Poultice, Decron Hoof Care Kit, Decron Osmotic Poultice Gel and promotional merchandise items.
And, of course, there’s the traditional sting in the tail that every competitor hopes to avoid – the dreaded Gary Chequer commemorative wooden spoon, which was “won” last year by Todd McCarthy (NSW).
Nominations for the Labour Day Monday holiday meeting close with HRV at noon on Wednesday, March 8.
Further information about the day is available from Tony Logan on 0427 857411.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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