While thousands of people tuned into the Hamish and Andy radio program on Monday afternoon to listen to the ‘Race That Slows Down The Nation’, harness racing fans were closely keeping an eye on the clash between Tabcorp Park Menangle’s ‘Trigger’ and Harness Racing Victoria’s ‘Poppy’.
It was a race over 800 metres at Weddernburn with 48 other competitors dressed in horse suits chasing the glory and fame that would come with victory. The official results will be released on Friday but Menangle’s Trigger’ with Mandy Zammit in the suit, confirmed ‘Poppy’ proved too strong in the battle of the pacers.
“Poppy proved too fast for me, he was really good, he pulled a sulky over the 800 metres and two women jumped in the gig during the race and he kept running,” Mandy Zammit said.
“I finished towards the back of the field but I am proud to say that I didn’t finish last, I will be interested to see the official placings when they are released later in the week.”
Mandy admitted there were late minute adjustments made to ‘Trigger’ after a mishap.
“The suit ripped so we had to hand sew it back together but the stitching held during the race which was good.
“The hardest thing to do while running in the suit was breathe, air doesn’t get in and out of the suit very well but it was great fun and I would love to do it again.”
The idea to compete in the event came from NSWHRC CEO Bruce Christison after he heard the promotion on 2DAY FM in Sydney.
“Bruce heard Hamish and Andy running the competition and asking for entries to compete in the race, I know his son does some athletics and Bruce was hoping to get him into the suit but you had to be eighteen years old to compete so the spot in the suit was offered to me.
“We flew to Melbourne on Monday, drove the two hours to Weddernburn then got to be part of the parade before competing at about 5:30pm.”
Trigger was a little lethargic on Tuesday but will be better for the run.
“I wasn’t sore or anything like that but I wore it most of the day at Menangle on Sunday for the Fishers Ghost meeting and then had to run in it on Monday so it was a little tiring.”
Poppy proved too fast for Trigger in their first clash. Who knows, maybe the race between the two can become an annual event for charity?
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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