Great Start to New Year for Mini Trotters 2018 is off to a fabulous start for Leeton Mini Trotting Club with a record 19 ponies in town to contest the Leeton Mini Carnival of Cups, much to the delight of LMTC committee. Families travelled from neighbouring Albury and Riverina Clubs for the New Year’s Night races. Harness Racing NSW later provided trophies to all contestants as a sign of their support.
The CEO of Harness Racing NSW, Mr John Dumesny was on hand to present the children with their trophies in front of the crowd at the completion of the Carnival of Cups. The Committee of LMTC were most impressed that Mr Dumensy found time to congratulate the junior competitors on what was a busy night for him.
Once again Mr Terry Judd of Junee was on hand to call our races, and even managed to call the first race without the assistance of a list of the field!!! Terry is President of NSW Mini Trotting and provides the Leeton Club with plenty of support both on and off the track.
The junior drivers had three races on the night – the third was a handicappers nightmare with all ponies on the track together for the three divisions of the Carnival of Cups race. Despite any concerns , the race ran like clockwork , with the Midgets starting prior to the other ponies to avoid them being “swamped” as the larger contestants rounded the track. Full credit to our President Barry Pitt for his planning!!
Layla Forrest was lucky enough to pick up a drive in the Cup race on Eliza Turton’s Midget , What’s up Girls and scored a win. Annie Painting drove Jaxon Pitt’s Sugarloaf Boy and picked up the trophy in the Shetland division. In the pony division, Willie Wagtail was still looking for his mark when the starters let their flags down and the race began ! Apart from reducing her chances of racing well , Siarne got quite a fright to see Little Jon powering towards herm as she was oblivious to the drop of the flags !! Some good driving on both girls’ behalf saw the situation corrected without incident , and both finished with placings.
Race 1
1st: (8) Nanna Smoke - Jed Driscoll
2nd: (15) Little Jon - Eliza Turton
3rd: (10)Moon Shadow - Natalie Short
Race 2
1st: (3) Ladzaboy - Jacob Berry
2nd: (6) Wongalea Licorice - Lily Painting
3rd: (17) What’s Up Girls - Eliza Turton
Race 3 – Leeton Carnival of Cups
Midget Division
1st: (17) What’s Up Girls - Layla Forrest
2nd: (6) Wongalea Licorice - Lily Painting
3rd: (4) Sheriff Woody - Emily Short
Shetland Division
1st: (9) Sugarloaf Boy - Annie Painting
2nd: (11) Patch Adams - Lauren Young
3rd: (8) Nanna Smoke - Jed Driscoll
Pony Division
1st: (15) Little Jon - Eliza Turton
2nd: (16) Fabian - Riley Powderly
3rd: (14) Willie Wagtail - Siarne Deeves
Siarne Deeves – Lucky Drivers Prize courtesy of Judds Stockfeeds – Horse Body Brush
The next Meet for Leeton Harness Racing Club will be on Friday January 12th, with the Minis expected to take to the track prior to the first race on the card.
As always we thank Leeton Harness Racing Club for allowing our kids to race at their meetings.
A number of Leeton Mini Trotting families are also busily planning their trek to Tamworth at Easter for the NSW Championships , and have already commenced the huge task of preparing their ponies for the event. Fitness training is essential as it is a very demanding weekend for all ponies in attendance , but also an amazing experience for both driver and family members alike!
