The countdown has begun to Horsham’s annual Noel Smith Memorial Invitation Drivers’ Championship on Monday afternoon, April 18.
Named in honour of the late Noel Smith, the Championship has been conducted annually since 1990 and is a highlight of the Western District’s racing calendar.
Each year, it brings together an elite line-up of reinsmen and women who compete for a Challenger race sulky, donated by the Horsham Harness Racing Club.
In keeping with tradition, the 2005 Championship will operate as a points score and comprise three $6000 races – for pacers assessed C0 (4YO & Older), C1 and C2-C3.
Defending champion and four-time winner Daryl Douglas heads a star-studded list of 11 drivers invited to compete for top honours.
He’ll be joined in battle by South Australian visitor Geoff Webster and leading Victorian drivers Kerryn Gath, Gavin Lang, John Caldow, Chris Alford, Brian Gath, Amy Tubbs, Lance Justice, David Murphy and Jodi Quinlan.
Nominations for Horsham’s April 18 program close with Harness Racing Victoria at noon on Wednesday, April 13, with a reminder that horses entered for the Championship races will be randomly allocated a driver.
As an added bonus all placed horses on the day will receive a selection of products from Carbine Chemicals.
Noel Smith was a past President and delegate of the Horsham Club.
He made an enormous contribution to harness racing in Victoria through his tireless work with the South West Zone, and the Metropolitan and Country Trotting Association.
He was recognised with a Distinguished Service Award by Harness Racing Victoria in March 1994, but sadly passed away in June of the same year.
Noel Smith Memorial Invitation Drivers’ Championship Past Winners:-
1990, Gaita Pullicino
1991, Gavin Lang and Jim O’Sullivan
1992, Gavin Lang
1993, Graeme Lang
1994, Chris Alford
1995, Brian Gath
1996, Gavin Lang
1997, Brian Gath
1998, Daryl Douglas
1999, Gaita Pullicino
2000, John Caldow
2001, Daryl Douglas
2002, Daryl Douglas
2003, Mathew Neilson
2004, Daryl Douglas
