Jackpot Joe winning the Denmark Cup Photo by Photography by Jodie Hallows
The 2024/2025 Albany Harness Racing season has wrapped up after another bumper 10 meetings again this season, with Friday night's meeting honouring passed members of the Denmark trotting club, featuring the $11,000 MCC Contractors Denmark Cup.
Handy Busselton pacer Jackpot Joe may have missed out on the Busselton Cup back on January 24, but he redeemed himself on Friday night when he took out the Denmark Cup for trainer Michae Callegari and junior driver Ajay Markham.
“It was good to win and good to be able to give Akay a good chance to win a nice race.”
“I’ve been working for Howletts for about three years and I’m always nagging Barry for a horse, last year he leased then sold me Im The Best and before this year’s Busselton’s season I was nagging him for another one, so he gave me Jackpot Joe to train for him to try and win the cup.” Michael Callegari said.
Hoof issues in early 2024 saw Jackpot Joe spend some time on the sidelines but with a win on return on January 1 at Busselton, it appears all positive for the six-year-old, with Jackpot Joe yet to finish out of the top four in his six attempts for trainer Michael Callegari.
With his national rating now 78, Callegari made mention that they’ll likely head to Gloucester Park going forward.
Callegari took out the 2014 Denmark Cup with Sanjaya NZ with Ash Markham on board, and 11 years later takes out the feature again, this time with Markham's son Ajay taking the reins.
Albany Harness Racing Club President Tim Stone made special mention thanking all the local trainers and travelling trainers for their support throughout the season, as well as the drivers that drove down week in, week out, with race nights well supported by local patronage throughout the 10 weeks.
On December 28, the club celebrated their 50 Year Anniversary, with Tubbs Farquhar taking out the Anniversary feature for trainer Hayden Reeves, also giving junior driver Kylah Madden her first winning steer.
Saturday, January 18 the club celebrated the running of the $20,000 Wellington & Reeves Albany Cup, with Hillview Bondi taking honours for Ryan Bell and junior driver Liam Elliott.
Trainer of The Year went to residing trainer Lang Inwood who had an incredible season in Albnay this year, with Inwood heading into the night with a powerful hand sitting just six points behind the leader, and with a win and three second placings, ended the season on 86 points, taking home the $500 prize.
Emily Suvaljko sailed away for a clear win in the Darrell Panizza Wesfarmers Insurance Reinsperson of the Year, pocketing the $500 cash incentive for the victory.
The Beach Master sat on 13 points heading into Friday night’s meeting for owner and trainer Wes Andrews, but with a win in the first, claimed the Spurrs Stud 2024/2025 Pacer of the Year, taking home a service to either one of Spurrs Stud stallions Bonavista Bay or Good Times Sammy.
The Albany Harness Racing Club are looking forward to the 2025/2026, hopeful for another 10 meetings next season.
