Leeton Mini Trotters stepped out at Lin Gordon Paceway for the first time in 2017 for the Carnival of Cups on Sunday night 1st January 2017. There was a great crowd on hand to cheer them on.
We were delighted to welcome our friends the Turtons from neighbouring Riverina Club who brought their pony Little Jon over to race with us. Little Jon is currently one of the fastest Mini trotting ponies in NSW, and is driven ably by Eliza Turton.
A night of firsts, our newest members Annie and Lily Painting from Coleambally brought their ponies over for their first night of racing with us. It was a good night to choose, with Trophies on offer for the Cup Races!
Unfortunately, the Lemons from Wyalong couldn’t fit their ponies in the float, with dad Rodney’s big horses getting first dibs! Maybe next time!
New Year’s greetings are extended from all in our little Club to our many supporters, sponsors and helpers for 2017 – wishing all a successful year both on and off the track!
First Mini Trots race for the evening was conducted immediately after the Frank Fiumara Memorial. This was the Mick’s Fabrication Pony Trot. Layla Forrest crossed the line first aboard Seven, with no-one able to beat her handicap. Little Jon (Eliza Turton) gave it a good shake, coming from back marker to just finish second. Little Midget the tiniest contender on the track managed to hold on to third place, after leading almost all the way around.
Straight after the TAB Rewards Pace, the kids headed back onto the track for our Carnival of Cups Race. Trophies for this are generously supplied by Harness Racing NSW, and we were also extremely pleased to have representatives of HRNSW visit the Pony Marshalling area to present the trophies and speak to the children at the conclusion of our races. We thank Mr John Dumesny, Mr Chris Edwards, and Mr Rod Smith for taking the time from their busy evening to make themselves known to our drivers.
Handicapping for the Cup race is based on the height of the ponies rather than the speed , which makes it quite a bit tougher for some! As a result, it is divided into three divisions, Ponies, Shetlands, and Midgets.
Mr Chris Edwards, a senior Board member of Harness Racing NSW presented trophies and words of encouragement to the following drivers:
Pony Division
1st Little Jon – Eliza Turton
2nd Willie Wagtail – Siarne Deeves
3rd Saint Star – Annie Painting
Shetland Division
1st Nanna Smoke – Jed Driscoll
2nd Little Secret – Ryan Pitt
3rd My Little Rocket – Nikkita Smith
4th Wongalea Licomic – Lily Painting
Midget Division
1st Seven – Layla Forrest
2nd Little Midget – Shaiila Ogilvie
Topping off a big night, trophies were also awarded to those who competed at the Griffith Carnival of Cups in November. John Marcus the President of Griffith Harness Racing Club was on hand to make these presentations to the drivers.
Pony Division
1st Willie Wagtail – Siarne Deeves
Shetland Division
1st Little Secret – Danika Stevens
2nd Nanna Smoke – Jed Driscoll
Midget Division
1st Seven – Layla Forrest
2nd Little Midget – Shaiila Ogilvie
Once official proceedings were over, LMTC’s newest sponsor “Mick’s Fabrications” proprietor Michael Smith gave each driver a trucker cap to keep them sun-safe. Obviously these were a huge hit, as a number of kids were spotted still wearing theirs at 10.30pm when they were heading home!! Good job Michael – and welcome aboard the LMTC family!!
The next meeting at Lin Gordon Paceway will be held on February 14th with the Mini Trotters sure to be in attendance, but should you visit neighbouring Riverina Clubs Temora or Junee over the next few weeks on a Saturday Night, you just might see some familiar Leeton ponies going around there as we start preparations for the NSW Championships to be held in Tamworth over Easter 2017.
Thanks, as always, is extended to the Leeton Harness racing Club for allowing us to race at their Meetings , and to our wonderful sponsors for their continued support.