Swan Hill celebrates Nyah Pacing Cup

Bitobliss will be the biggest name runner in Saturday's first Nyah Pacing Cup at Swan Hill.

Almost nine months to the day after construction began Swan Hill’s state-of-the-art new harness complex will kick off the Choice Hotels Country Cup carnival this Saturday night.

A joint investment between the Victorian State Government and Harness Racing Victoria, the $3.5 million project was the largest undertaken in Australian harness racing this year.

While it fair to say the Nyah Pacing Cup card at the Swan Hill course was always going to be a celebration for the industry, crack fields throughout the 11 race programme should ensure it’s a highlight of the 2012/13 harness racing season.

Headlining the Group 3 Tooleybuc Sporting Club Nyah Pacing Cup field will be arguably Australia’s most exciting young pacer, Bitobliss.

The winner of last year’s Melton Plate and Kilmore Cup returned to the track in style last Friday night when parking in the breeze before vanquishing a strong M2 to M4 field.

Scotty Stewart’s son of Blissfull Hall is off 20m this weekend and will take on Saint Flash, Composed, Jack In Flight and Tanabi Bromac among others in the $30,000 stand start feature.

Meanwhile, Great Southern Star qualifier Cold Sister will grab headlines along with Inter Dominion placegetter Kasyanov in the Jim Roberts Nyah Trotting Cup.

Exciting Ballarat based five-year-old Savesomtimetodream will be another star at the meeting; he’ll be eyeing both his fourth victory this campaign and a tantalising speed incentive in the inaugural Ian Ray Electrics Swan Hill Mile.

A 1040m circuit modelled largely on Melton’s Tabcorp Park, the new Swan Hill circuit has been built for speed and offering a $2000 bonus for every second – or part thereof – the winner records under 1:55 should ensure the Swan Hill Mile is run at breakneck speed on Saturday night.

Those looking for success off the track will get their chance with a Holden Barina Spark CDX supplied by Swan Hill Holden to be given away at a value of $17,000.

Entry forms will be given to patrons when they pay at entry to the course.

A $2000 voucher to Ian Ray Betta Home Living will also be given away in conjunction with the Ian Ray Betta Home Living Swan Hill Mile.

For participants competing on the night there will be a trainer’s prize as well.

Any trainer who has a horse racing at the pioneering meeting will go into a draw to win an Easy Ride Sulky valued at $4500 while Carbine Chemicals will supply supplements to the first three placegetters in each race.