Come on Frank Photo by Franca Carbone
Fans of South Australia’s favourite pacer Come On Frank can celebrate his career at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
The ‘People’s Champion’, Come On Frank will have the honour of leading the field onto the track for the Group One $100,000 Ubet South Australian Pacing Cup (2645m).
And for one lucky patron, they will have the opportunity to join trainer-driver Darren Billinger in a double-seat sulky for a lap of Globe Derby Park behind the champ before his named farewell race.
Come On Frank, a cult hero throughout Australia, was retired last weekend after a magnificent career of 61 wins, 26 seconds and 12 thirds from 130 starts earning $404,650 in stakes.
John Lewis, Chief Executive of Harness Racing South Australia, said while there was fantastic racing to be conducted during the evening, the night would also give people the chance to honour a legend of harness racing.
“Owners Julie and Jodie Billinger along with Ian Goddard, and trainer-driver Darren Billinger, have accepted our offer to lead the field onto the track for South Australia’s biggest race,” Mr Lewis said.
“There will also be commemorative posters to be given away when people arrive on course for Cup night and the Billinger family have kindly agreed to sign the posters on Frank’s behalf if requested.
“Come On Frank will be stabled in an area where the public can access the stall area and see him.”
Mr Lewis said patrons arriving on course would be given free entry into a raffle for a one-lap drive in a two-seat sulky behind Come On Frank during the evening.
“I’m sure it will be a keenly sought after prize as Darren was the only person to drive Come On Frank in his 130 starts so to share a lap will be a special ride.”
Part-owner Julie Billinger will have the honour of driving Come On Frank in the Cup parade.
“I will be driving Whenmechief in the Cup and Julie has driven Frank in the majority of his trackwork so there is no-one better to partner him in the parade,” Darren Billinger said.
“I’m not sure Frank is yet to realise he won’t be racing again.
“With the honour of leading out the field on Saturday, we have kept him in work with one of our two-year-olds, and to be honest, he is loving the tempo because he was never a flash trackworker.”
Harness Racing South Australia’s ‘Summer of Racing Ambassador’, Josh Jenkins, from the Adelaide Crows, will be in attendance.
Entertainment throughout the night will be performed by John ‘Swanee’ Swan and Peter Tilbrook of the Masters Apprentices.
There will be a Fashions On the Field contest and for the kids free rides and a face painter.
Gates open at 4pm on Saturday for the Cup meeting.
