Bits and Bridles

Pacing for Pink celebrates a bumper result, Bendigo’s redevelopment is nearing completion and two Victorian young guns have earned a trans-Tasman call-up.

Pacing for Pink powers to $140,500

Harness racing’s generosity has again shone through, with Pacing for Pink raising a remarkable $140,500 this year for McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurses.

Organisers described the result as an outstanding effort, particularly given the difficult economic climate, and thanked the many drivers, sponsors, clubs, businesses and communities who supported the May fundraiser across Australia.

“A very big thank-you goes to the participating drivers and their fabulous sponsors who continue to front up year after year – their generosity never ceases to amaze us,” a spokeswoman said.

“And there’s the metro and country clubs and communities who don’t mind going the extra mile. The contributions are highly valued and instrumental in achieving another wonderful result.”

Major supporters included Club Menangle, Harness Racing Victoria, Country Clubs Victoria, the Globe Derby Bar Team and Harness Racing SA CEO Leanne Ewen.

Organisers also acknowledged the tremendous backing from communities and clubs including Ararat, Dunolly, Maryborough, Bendigo, Mildura, Ouyen, Shepparton, Tamworth, Kooringal and Bathurst.

Harness Racing ACT also earned special praise after sponsoring 10 drivers and conducting its own fundraising activities.

“An amazing effort by a small club, but obviously one which is very active and compassionate.”

Victorian Young guns get NZ call-up

Victorian young guns Ryan Sanderson and Jordan Leedham are the latest names confirmed for the 2026 1Equine Australasian Young Drivers Championship in New Zealand in November.

The two 23-year-olds join Queensland teenager Layne Dwyer, Western Australia’s Abbey Vidovich and New Zealand’s Wilson House among the emerging stars already confirmed for the prestigious trans-Tasman series.

The championship returns to New Zealand for the first time in seven years and will bring together the next generation of harness racing talent from both sides of the Tasman for 10 heats across four venues.

Racing begins at Cambridge Raceway on Wednesday, November 4, with two heats before moving to Alexandra Park in Auckland for three races on November 6.

Four heats will be staged at Ashburton Raceway on November 8 before the championship reaches its climax on one of New Zealand harness racing’s biggest stages – New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington on Tuesday, November 10.

Sanderson and Leedham bring plenty of experience to the Victorian team.

Sanderson, who began his driving career in the 2017-18 season, has amassed more than 570 wins, highlighted by his Group 1 success aboard Fox Dan in the Woodlands Stud Victoria Derby Final at Melton last October.

Leedham has accumulated more than 420 victories since beginning his career in 2019-20 and has continued to establish himself among Victoria’s leading young reinsmen. His feature successes include the $100,000 Nutrien Equine Race Series 2YO Colts and Geldings Final at Melton aboard Kitzbuhel Delight last year.

Queensland will be represented by 19-year-old Dwyer, while 20-year-old Vidovich has earned the Western Australian berth after a rapid rise through the driving ranks.

House secured the first of New Zealand’s three positions after winning the 2026 New Zealand Junior Drivers Championship.

Last year’s Australasian Young Drivers Championship was won by Victorian star James Herbertson, but the reigning champion is ineligible to defend his title this year under the championship’s age criteria.

Bendigo upgrade nearing the finish line

Bendigo Harness Racing Club’s major redevelopment is entering its final stages, with the club describing progress on the almost $3 million upgrade as “seamless”.

Despite the scale of the works, the MKM Build Group training facility has remained open to trainers throughout construction, with the club reporting there are now “just the finishing touches left to do”.

The redevelopment includes a $1.8 million LED lighting and technology upgrade and a $1.1 million roof over the stabling complex, representing the biggest infrastructure transformation at the venue since the 1980s.

Recent videos and photographs showing the progress have drawn an overwhelmingly positive response from industry participants, with the new-look stabling precinct in particular giving a clear indication of how significantly the facilities have been transformed.

The works are designed to improve conditions for horses and participants while helping future-proof one of Victoria’s busiest harness racing and training centres.

The club says work is on track to allow the reopening of the track for racing from mid-October.

From Terry Gange for Harnesslink