The west unites with Flood Relief ’23

THE Mates4Harness–Flood Relief ’23 race meeting this afternoon in Eugowra shapes as one of the best day’s racing seen in regional New South Wales for some time.

The race meeting has been planned to raise funds to help the many people throughout the central west of the state who lost so much in the devastating floods that hit the area last November.

Spearheaded by Harness Racing New South Wales, who have been so generous in their support of the victims, the Forbes and Eugowra Harness Racing Clubs have come together to co-host the traditional Anzac Day meeting which has been a fixture for 70 years since the ex-servicemen and women formed the Forbes Diggers Trotting Club.

With their track still under repair from the floods, this will be the Forbes Club’s TAB Carnival Of Cups meeting, the $20,000 TAB Forbes Diggers Cup attracting a solid field of locally-trained horses being one feature while the other main drawcard will be a two-race invitational drivers’ series involving some of the state’s leading reinspeople.

It is free entry to the race meeting although organisers are encouraging attendees to open their hearts by contributing a gold coin donation and to also support the many other fundraising activities that have been planned throughout the afternoon.

Eugowra secretary Jodie Greenhalgh encourages both locals and harness racing supporters to come along to the race meeting to enjoy what is sure to be a wonderful day.

“We have so much happening here today, both on and off the track,” said Greenhalgh.

“There are eight strong races and three mini trotting races being run as well as the Cup race and invitational drivers’ series which will be such a highlight.

“Then there are free rides and face painting for the kids, food vans, markets stalls and the usual facilities to cater for the day.

“There’s also a moving tribute planned for our Anzacs with the traditional ceremony to take place during the afternoon.”

Fundraising activities including the auction of a signed and framed piece of memorabilia from this year’s TAB Everest to contribute to the cause.

The Neville Pellow Memorial will kick off racing this afternoon at 12.15pm with the Steve Turnbull trained, Mitch Turnbull driven Alwaysbmypony appearing to be the one to beat.

Champion reinswoman Amanda Turnbull has a full book of drives at Eugowra today.