Bendigo Harness Racing Club will host the biggest event on its calendar this Friday night, with the running of a cracking program featuring the Group 2 PETstock Bendigo Pacing Cup and Group 1 Maori Mile.
The pacing cup is expected to attract an even field of the state’s open-class pacers, ensuring an open betting market.
The Maori Mile, for the trotters, will include Glenferrie Typhoon, winner of Australasia's premier trotters race, the Great Southern Star, as well as many of the state's other leading trotters.
The enthralling action on the track will be replicated by a host of off-track entertainment.
Bendigo Harness Club sales and marketing manager Brendan Baker said “we have a cracking Kids Zone, with pony rides, jumping castle, ball pit, massive six-metre big screen TV showing Finding Dory in the big shed and plenty of food vans".
“The Pony Trot races will also be of great interest to the kids and will take pride of place on the night. They will feature no less than four heats and finals for the state’s future generations of drivers and trainers. And, of course, all these activities come with free entry for all kids.”
Harness Racing Victoria’s Country Cups Ambassador, Billy Brownless, will also be on course with autographed footballs to hand out to patrons.
“The Hero horses, Villagem and Waikare Aristocrat, will also be present to lead the fields onto the track throughout the night, and will be available for a meet-and-greet where the kids will be able to get up close with these retired stars who have been re-trained for general riding under Harness Racing Victoria’s Harness Education and Rehoming Program.
“We are also pleased that the HERO program will be on hand to showcase some of the horses who have benefited from this wonderful animal welfare initiative.”
The night has been deemed “$5 Friday”, with adults gaining entry for just $5.
They will also have the opportunity to win a range of huge prizes in the Cup Field Mega-Draw, to be conducted as a sweep on the feature race, the Bendigo Pacing Cup. First prize is a $2000 Supa IGA Strath Village Voucher, second prize a $1000 voucher at Lowes Petroleum BP, third prize is a $500 Supa IGA Strath Village, and there are other prizes for those drawing a horse.
“The night’s entertainment has been provided with assistance from the Victorian State Government under it’s Raceday Attraction Program, and would be the perfect opportunity for people who are new to the sport to come along and appreciate the excitement, action and entertainment that is harness racing," Baker said.
“The BHRC is grateful for the Government’s ongoing support which will allow the club to stage an exciting night of racing and entertainment.”
