With a list of attractions as long as its main straight and an outstanding day of grass roots racing, Sunday’s Boort Cups Day promises to a beauty.
It’s a day the community savours, according to Boort Harness Racing Club president John Campbell, who goes above and beyond to ensure there’s something on offer for every taste.
The commitment by patrons and the club is partly born from Boort being without its cup from 2005 to 2012, making it all the more treasured upon its return.
“When the community loses something and then we get it back the locals make sure it doesn’t happen again and really rally around the event,” Mr Campbell said.
“We are the oldest continuous trotting club in Australia, being into our 126th year. People are embracing that and that history has become very important.”
And it’s also been embraced by the participants, with trainers and owners producing very strong fields for Sunday’s Loddon Valley Stud Boort Pacing Cup and the Haras Des Trotteurs Boort Trotters Cup.
“I am very pleased with the fields,” Mr Campbell said, which includes backmarker Savannah Jay Jay, talented four-year-old Conon Bridge and Terang cup winner Ainthatrightmacca in the trotters cup.
“For about 10 years now we have had the same stake money for the trotters and pacers cups and we promote it as Boort Cups Day and treat them both the same, and we have good nominations that reflect that.”
Replicating the stellar line-up on course are the off-course offerings.
Entry and racebooks are both free as is the booking of mini-marquees, and despite not copping a hip pocket hit patrons can enjoy a Canadian-style yabby race, fashions on the field, the chance to win two holidays on the Gold Coast via racebook entry, a pick five jackpot, bookmakers’ betting vouchers and they can also buy into the punters club, which will be manned by Brett and Darren Carroll.
There will be three pony trots races, including the pony trot monte final, as well as face painting, jumping castles, a treasure hunt and boys and girls scooters to be won, while an endeavour to find the fastest footballer, netballer and hockey player through sprints should also prove popular.
A free return bus will depart Bendigo at 11am at the All Seasons Hotel, 171-183 McIvor Rd, Bendigo. For details about the bus or dining bookings call Mr Campbell on 0437 077 887 or club secretary Nicole Miles on 0429 321 652.
Media enquiries:
Michael Howard (HRV Media/Communications Co-Ordinator)
t: 03 8378 0286 | e: mhoward@hrv.org.au | tw: @MichaelRHoward