PONY RACING SEASON COMES TO AN END
Last Sunday marked the closing of the 2011/12 Mt Gambier Harness Racing Club’s pony trotting season. With the largest fields for the year, 10 ponies & 11 drivers lined up for the 2 races on the program.
Race: 1
Sponsored by the Mansell Fencing Service all 10 ponies flew away at the sound of the whistle.
From the same mark, Frankie Under Fire & Aaron Shepherd forged ahead to take the lead from Run Jemma Run & Joshua Micallef who was trying hard to hold ground.
Willow, urged on by Abbey Gull, was quickly gaining on the leaders, while Blaze (Courtney Sealey) & Slim Dusty (Stacey Barker) battled forward making headway midfield.
Although driven hard by Jhett Perry, Zena was unable to gain ground, along with Snoopy & Kylie Shepherd who found their handicap too challenging.
Turning into the home straight Frankie Under Fire was the clear leader, with a delighted Aaron Shepherd holding off the remainder of the field right to the line.
As the field approached the line the battle for the minor placings ended with Minty blitzing down the outside for 2nd place & Slim Dusty sneaking through into 3rd place.
They were followed home by Blaze, Marmalade, Willow, Run Jemma Run, Snoopy, Pumpkin & Zena.
Aaron Shepherd & Frankie Under Fire wins Mansell Fencing Service Handicap.
Race: 2
The Barker Racing Stables Handicap started with a fierce fight for the lead amongst the front markers.
Run Jemma Run led the way at the whistle & tried desperately to hold his ground, but close behind, Frankie Under Fire, Snoopy & Willow were steadily making headway.
Further back in the field Minty & Emma Shepherd challenged Marmalade & progressed quickly towards the field, while Pumpkin struggled to find form.
Trying to hold their way down the home straight, Zena & Slim Dusty found their opposition too great, while Blaze held on midfield under the direction of Courtney Sealey.
Close to the finish the backmarkers caught the tail of the field. With the ponies all gathered together in a final tussle it was an emotional Kylie Shepherd & Snoopy who emerged victorious.
Frankie Under Fire followed behind in 2nd place & Willow in 3rd place, ahead of Minty, Run Jemma Run, Marmalade, Blaze, Zena, Slim Dusty & Pumpkin.
Kylie Shepherd receives trophy for winning the Barkers Racing Stables Handicap from Barry Carraill.
Trophy Presentations
At the completion of the races the points were tallied for the various awards.
The Pony & Driver of the Year award was won by Pumpkin & Emma Greenfield. As the backmarker Pumpkin proved her capabilities by blitzing around the field on many occasions to take out several wins & minor placings. The Runner-Up Pony & Driver of the Year was awarded to Minty & her 2 drivers, Matthew Shepherd & Emma Shepherd. This pony is the reigning South Australian pony harness racing champion & has improved tremendously under the guidance of these 2 very capable drivers.
Kylie Shepherd received the Best Presented Pony Award, & this season’s new drivers (Courtney Sealey, Jhett Perry, Aaron Shepherd & Emma Shepherd) were awarded with the State Pony Harness Racing Medallions.
Retiring drivers’, Jackie Barker & Kylie Shepherd, received gifts for their many years of junior racing. This concludes the pony racing season for 2011/12.
It has been a very successful season with thanks to the many sponsors, volunteers, junior drivers & families for their support.
Emma Greenfield receives the Pony of the Year trophy from Phil Woods for a successful season with her pony, Pumpkin.