Saturday, 27th February 2016
Mount Gambier Pony Trotters faced Greenwald Paceway’s bustling crowd for the Pacing Gold Cup meeting on Saturday night. With 3 pony races on the card, all ponies were sure to make every effort to take out the Gold Cup.
Race 1 was sponsored by Beachport liquid minerals, who donated the Red Cap horse minerals for the winner. All ponies started well, with Jerry taking the immediate lead. This was until Slim Dusty (Keeley Formosa) overtook the field down the home straight. Keeley Formosa drove Slim Dusty over the line for the win ahead of Jackim (Jacob Opperman), Blaze (Courtney Sealey), Jerry (Nicola Bowditch). Minty (Jessica Shepherd) , Marmalade (Bryce Bygate) and Buddy Boom Boom for Amber Formosa struggled to make the placings in this race.
Race 2 was the prestigious Pony Gold Cup race. The seven ponies and drivers nervously started the race quickly. In this race, Marmalade was not far away from the leaders. Blaze (Courtney Sealey) stride by stride chased the leaders. With a smile from ear to ear, Amity Formosa drove Slim Dusty flawlessly over the line for the first placing in the MOunt Gambier Pony Gold Cup. Second placing went to Blaze and Courtney Sealey who was just a length behind the winners. Minty and Jessica Shepherd received third placing followed by Marmalade driven by Bryce Bygate. Jackim with Jacob Opperman did not get in the placings for this race. Jerry (Nicola Bowditch) was not up to performing for the crowd. Buddy Boom Boom (Amber Formosa) unfortunately could not keep up to the rest of the field, but they were not far behind.
Race 3 was on the schedule for a ridden monte race. This time there were 3 ponies, with Jerry accompanied by Courtney Sealey. Marmalade ridden by Bryce Bygate was cruising down the home straight to reach the leader Jerry (Courtney Sealey). Jackim was using his tactic staying quiet at the tail end of the field. Pablo ridden by Jessica Shepherd reached the leaders with ease. It was a close but coming around the bend to the home straight and Pablo (Jessica Shepherd) took their move. Pablo was across the line for first, with Jerry and Courtney Sealey just a few lengths behind. Marmalade was ridden perfectly over the line by Bryce Bygate, followed by Jackim for Jacob Opperman.
Amity Formosa thanked Mount Gambier Harness Racing Club for sponsoring the Pony Gold Cup. Mount Gambier Pony Trotters would also like to thank Beachport Liquid Minerals for donating a prize for race 1. A huge congratulations to Stella Turley who won the Free Pony Sweep, receiving a Family voucher to Penola Fantasy Railway and Rose’s Tearoom and also a chocolate hamper.
