Stawell set to emerge from storm's shadows with big cup day

30 November 2017 | Trots Media - Michael Howard
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Gavin Lang and Shadow Sax.

Gavin Lang and Shadow Sax.

The sun will resurface on Sunday, the experts say, when Stawell will host its biggest day of racing in the wake of the big wet.

Stawell Harness Racing Club has been preparing manfully throughout the course of the week amid the threat of 50-100mm of rain forecasted to fall up to Saturday.

To make matters a little more challenging for the club, fire threatened on Thursday after nearby lightning strikes earlier today, but was soon brought under control by emergency services.

Club CEO Lisa McIlvride said they had sealed the race track on Tuesday and again today to do their utmost to ensure a great day’s racing centred around the trotters and pacing cups.

“We’re all prepared and have everything in place,” Ms McIlvride said. “We’ve got extra material and a spreader on standby. We can only do what we can do and hope for the best.”

Talented pacers Shadow Sax and Bad Billy are among the Choices Flooring By Westside Stawell Pacing Cup, while My Skypocket will try to shoot clear of the pack in the Maori’s Idol Trophy Points Table in the Ecks Electrical Stawell Trotters Cup.

“We have got good bookings for the bistro, kids’ activities and a big shed if it’s wet so all the fun can be had underneath cover,” Ms McIlvride said.

“A lot of farmers are getting their crops off as we speak and have been hard at it for a few days now, so hopefully Sunday can help them and be a support.”

 

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