Community at heart of Ouyen Mother’s Day cup meet

The Mallee township of Ouyen, in northwest Victoria, will again punch above its weight this Sunday (May 10) when the annual Gregg’s Electrical Ouyen Pacing Cup doubles as a district Mother’s Day community celebration.

Blending country harness racing with market stalls, family activities and fundraising for the May breast cancer Pacing for Pink campaign, the once-a-year meeting has quickly developed into one of the town’s favourite community gatherings.

And while the $10,000 Cup has attracted a quality field headed by proven country cups campaigners, Ouyen Harness Racing Club president Daniel Floyd says the annual meeting is about far more than just what happens on the track.

“It’s all about the community – we put it on for the community to get together as much as the horses and trainers and racing,” Floyd said.

“When we were given this date last year, we were a bit hesitant because it’s such a busy time of year in our farming area with the cropping,” he said.

“But we’re at the back end of cropping now and last year the Mother’s Day theme worked really well. We put it on for the town, not just the horses.”

Sunday’s meeting will again align with the annual Pacing for Pink May campaign, contributing to fundraising for breast cancer awareness and support initiatives through the Jane McGrath Foundation.

“We raised about $1200 for the cause last year,” Floyd said.

“The weather forecast is looking great for Sunday, the fields are really terrific and we’re hoping people will come along and enjoy a really great community day out.”

Floyd said the meeting simply could not happen without the support of volunteers and loyal local businesses, particularly with much of the farming community busy with seeding.

“We couldn’t do it without the great volunteers we have from the community – people who are happy just to pick up a broom or a hose or a shovel and get the work done with preparing the track, building and grounds.  We really appreciate their work as well as those who help out on the day,” he said.

This year’s cup meeting will also mark the end of a long and loyal sponsorship era for Gregg’s Electrical.

The company’s support stretches back more than 15 years, beginning with founders Ron and Marg Gregg before continuing through son Barry and his wife Donna and business partners Mark Wilson and Sam and Steph Weathers.

“Barry and Donna are making the move to retirement, but they’ve been loyal and unwavering supporters of the club,” Floyd said.

On the track, Sunday’s feature shapes as a fascinating contest over 2423 metres.

Defending champion Crime Writer returns to try and claim back-to-back Ouyen Cups for trainer-driver Matthew Craven.

The nine-year-old veteran has been a regular on the country cups circuit this season, already capturing the Wedderburn and Gunbower Cups.

The Matt Horsnell-trained Dhaulagiri NZ looms as one of the major threats. The gelding has been a consistent country cups performer since finishing runner up in the SA Cup in November. He’s won six races from 13 starts this season, including the St Arnaud, Boort and Kapunda Cups.

Western Sonador has been racing consistently in stronger company and could appreciate the drop in grade, while My Ultimate Jimmy brings strong Mildura form.

Check the Ouyen Cup day fields here:

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink