News Briefs/ Club News - Dec 2

By Dave Di Somma - Harness News Desk

Comeback for Herbert

Former All Whites coach Ricki Herbert is on the verge of his first raceday drive in 27 years. Tomorrow night at Cambridge he’ll drive Chalberg, a horse he bred, in the amateurs drivers race. Herbert, who went to World Cups as both a player and a coach, has a long association with harness racing, through his father Clive, who trained for 20 years from the 1980s. Together they trained 22 winners in 1993 and 94.

Crowds to return in Victoria

Crowds will be allowed back on course in Victoria, but only under strict guidelines. Clubs can now identify race dates and apply to host crowds on-course. Since March only essential staff and racing personnel have been allowed to attend race meetings. It’s expected there will be attendance caps, records of attendance, limited movement on-course, and separation between industry participants, staff, and the public.

Beginners luck nets 2 winners

It was Race 1 win 1 for two South Island rookie trainers, with Brittany Willis training her first winner , Money Honey, in race 1 at Invercargill while Blair Orange gave trainer Petra Luzumova her first win when Danangus Fella took out the opening race at Geraldine.

Club News :

Westport :

The Westport Trotting Club is holding its Kawatiri Trials Day on Dec 12. Nominations close Thurs Dec 10 at 6pm. Contact Karen on 021 0306146 or [email protected].

Riverton :

The Riverton Trotting Club is running a Pick Five competition for all three of its meetings this season starting this week (Thursday, 3 December).

This competition can only be entered on-course on the official entry form in the race book. The jackpot will generally be on the last five races. If the $1,000 Jackpot is not struck the pool ($1,000) will be carried over to the Riverton Trotting Club’s next meeting on Feb 13.

Only one entry will be accepted from each on-course patron (one name – one entry)

All entries must be placed in the entry barrel outside the Secretaries Office before the commencement of the first leg of Pick Five.

With Riverton marking 60 years each race on Thursday’s programme will be named after races carded at the Riverton Trotting Club’s inaugural meeting on Saturday 14th January 1961.

Wairio :

The Wairio Trotting Club hold Southern Harness Racing’s major pre-Christmas event at Central Southland Raceway in Winton on Saturday 19 December.

The day will feature eleven races with the feature, the Otautau Four Square Supermarket Wairio Trotting Cup over 2400m.

Several groups are using the event as a Christmas function while there will be entertainment aplenty with $2 mini jeep rides for the kids, sack races and other entertainment while Santa Claus will make an appearance during the day.

Punters can go in the draw to win rides on the EH Ball ITM mobile barrier throughout the day.

The first race is timed to start at 12noon.

Admission is free and inquiries regarding tent sites can be made via Lindsay Beer, Promotions Officer, Southern Harness Racing, 021 351 499 [email protected]