The biggest fortnight on the Goulburn Harness Racing Club calendar is almost here.
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The Hewitt Memorial race day at Goulburn Paceway on Sunday, April 23 will be followed by the club's principal race meeting of the season, the Frank and Edna Day Carnival of Cups race day seven days later.
Hewitt Memorial
The first of the two race days honours the memory of Thomas and Angela Hewitt and recognises their role in cementing the sport in Crookwell and the Goulburn region.
Thomas was man of deep religious conviction and lived his life with integrity.
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One of their grandsons and harness driver, Brad Hewitt, explained the influence the two had on him.
"Grandad was a sheep farmer, turned horse trainer, and all his kids were involved in the sport as well as many of his grandchildren," Brad said.
"Like any grandparents, they encouraged everyone to do what they put their mind to.
"I definitely wouldn't be a harness driver if it wasn't for them."
The race meeting has evolved into a Crookwell community event which also memorialises the harness racing contributions of avid carriage driver Robert Allport and Crookwell trainer Aubrey Frost.
The event also doubles as a fundraiser for the Crookwell Community Trust charity which provides emergency funding for those in need in the Upper Lachlan Shire.
Jamie Agius will provide live music throughout the afternoon.
The racing program
- $14,790 Tom and Angela Hewitt Memorial - Trophy and dress rug
- $14,790 Walla Walla Stakes - Trophy and dress rug
- $9,996 Aub Frost Memorial - Dress rug
- $9,996 Robert Allport Memorial - Dress rug
- $9,996 all other races
Frank and Edna Day Carnival of Cups
The second of the race days on Sunday, April 30 hosts the best available horses in NSW and provides harness fans and families with an outstanding afternoon of entertainment.
The main race, the Goulburn Cup, is a $30,000 Group 3 race contested over the 2240 metre distance and there have been some notable winners.
They include the inaugural winner Karloo Mick, Inter Dominion winner Tiger Tara, Miracle Mile winner Baby Bling and champion race horse For A Reason.
The day has also supported many important local organisations in the past and this year, the club is getting behind Challenge Foundation Goulburn, a critical service that provides homely accommodation for people with disabilities, and school bus transport for children with disabilities.
Local band Ooh La La will perform between races while there will also be a mechanical bull, a children's jumping castle, face painting, a young children's raffle, mini trotting and novelty picnic races and events.
The racing program
A full program of eight race is planned, featuring:
- $30,600 Group 3 Frank and Edna Day Goulburn Cup - Trophy and dress rug
- $20,400 Goulburn Sapling Stakes for 2yo pacers - Trophy and dress rug
- $14,790 Goulburn Rose Pace - Trophy and dress rug
- $14,790 Goulburn Trotters Cup - Trophy and dress rug
- $9,996 for all other races - Trophies and dress rugs
Raffles and giveaways
- $2 raffle - First Prize $100, Second Prize $50
- Free second chance draw after races 2, 4 and 6. All you have to do is to endorse your losing tickets with your name and place in the designated box where the race books are sold. Give yourself a chance to win bottles of wine and boxes of chocolates
- $50 race book draw; all you have to do is buy a race book, fill in the race book draw entry and place in the designated box
- Members' draw will also be conducted; to win the prize members must be on-course when the draw is conducted
- Members' "$50 All-Up bet" bonus. Members must be on course and register their attendance with the ladies selling the race books
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