TEN drivers with combined stake earnings of more than $85 million are set to thrill harness racing fans at Mildura’s City Oval Paceway this Friday.
Two of New Zealand’s finest – Anthony Butt and Nathan Williamson – will go head-to-head with some of Australia’s finest reinsmen in a three-race challenge series.
They include in-demand Victorian Greg Sugars, top Western Australian driver Gary Hall Junior and local Mildura champion Shayne Cramp.
Mildura Harness Racing Club secretary manager Mark Kemp said it would be a night to remember for harness racing followers.
“We are talking about some of the out-and-out champions of our sport,” Mr Kemp said.
“Together they have won a staggering amount of races, in excess of 12,000, equating to stake-money earned of about $85 million.
“The numbers are mind-blowing, but one must remember that each of these drivers is very skilled at what they do.”
Points will be allocated to drivers across the three races, with a winner to be crowned at the end of the nights' racing.
Kiwi champion Butt said he was looking forward to making the trip to Mildura ahead of a busy schedule of Interdominion racing over the next month.
“It’s always good to get to get to race in different places, Mildura should be no exception,” Butt said yesterday.
“The club has really attracted some great drivers – Gary Hall Junior, Greg Sugars, Nathan Jack, Daryl Douglas and the like.
“They are all top drivers and good fellas.”
It will be Butt’s second visit to the city after acting as the club’s guest speaker at its 2002 Mildura Pacing Cup Calcutta.
His visit included one race start, albeit unsuccessful.
“Hopefully I can make amends this time around,” he said.
Butt, a winner of 11 Interdominion trotting heats and three finals in his career, will partner Vulcan in Saturday night’s final at Tabcorp Park, in what might be the last Interdominion trotting final run.
Add one pacing final, 12 heats and five pacing consolation wins and Butt is the equal second most successful driver in Interdominion racing history.
Only fellow Kiwi Tony Herlihy, with 36 wins, has more.
Butt will pin his hopes of success in the pacing series on Raglan, a six-year old and third behind Smoken Up and Mr Feelgood in the $425,000 Victoria Cup in December.
He said Vulcan represented a “good each-way” chance in Saturday night’s trotting final.
“He’s been racing well and seems to be hitting his peak at just the right time after needing to finish in the top two in last weekend’s heat to qualify for the final,” Butt said.
“Friday night in Mildura should be good practice for me.”
With Friday’s meeting doubling as a fundraiser for prostate cancer support, Kemp was hoping for good community support.
“This is a night not to be missed and a good way to support a worthwhile community organisation in Sunraysia Cancer Resources,” he said.
This article appeared in Wednesday's Sunraysia Daily 1-2-2012.
Email a friend