Victoria’s South West Harness Racing Zone this week welcomed on board Petstock as the sponsor of its prestigious Tontine Series for 2005.
The news follows the announcement last month of a significant stake increase to mark the 25th anniversary of the Petstock Tontine Pacers’ Series.
The final of the highly prized C2-C4 class series will offer a record $20,000 in prizemoney and importantly remain a country penalty event.
“The Petstock Pacers’ Final will be complemented by the 20th annual running of the Petstock Tontine Trotters’ Series Final offering an $8000 stake,” Zone secretary Tamara Lane explained.
“Stawell Harness Racing Club hosts both feature events at Laidlaw Park on Monday afternoon, 30 May,” she said.
The Petstock Tontine is a joint initiative of the Ararat, Ballarat, Geelong, Hamilton, Horsham, Stawell and Terang Harness Racing Clubs.
The 2005 Series will offer a total of $119,000 in prizemoney, including $82,000 for pacers and $37,000 for trotters.
Designed as a stepping stone for up and coming country class performers, the Petstock Tontine pacers’ division has been won by a host of high quality horses in recent seasons including Cashel Uisce (pictured), Krayzelburg, Mosquito Gold, Cairn Rock and Lombo Rapida.
Among the notable past winners of the T0 or better trotters’ series are Master Maori, Poets Corner, Villa Glory and Noopy Kiosk.
This year’s Petstock Tontine Series will be conducted in two divisions for both pacers and trotters.
Series A commences with $4500 elimination heats for pacers at Terang on 3 May. It continues with $5500 quarter finals for pacers and $4500 quarter finals for trotters at Geelong on 11 May. The final qualifying round comprises semi-finals of $6500 for pacers and $5500 for trotters at Ararat on 22 May.
Series B mirrors Series A, but features meetings at Horsham on 4 May, Ballarat on 12 May and Hamilton on 23 May.
