Goulburn Club's Carnival of Cups

The Group 3 $31,800 feature was the highlight of great afternoon of racing for the Goulburn Club’s annual Carnival of Cups race day.

With a large crowd packing the long Grace Millsom Centre balcony, Rakarolla broke the line first charging across the field to take up the running from his outside barrier. Conviction, a 5-year-old gelding by For A Reason, who won the Goulburn Cup in 2014 started from gate 10.

He was quickly away from his second row draw and as the field spread out with the fast early pace, Amanda Turnbull found a spot three back in the running line.

“They went out hard early, It worked out good as we got into a good spot,” Turnbull said.

With Rakarolla settling as the race leader, it was Left Tennant that found the spot outside the front.

With the pair going head to head, Conviction commenced a strong three-wide move passing the 800-metre mark. In a fast 26.9 third quarter, Conviction worked up strongly to join the leaders three wide passing the 400 marker.

“He felt really good going up to them, it didn’t seem we were going that fast because he was doing it so easy,” Turnbull added.

Conviction found the front as the field straightened for the run to the winning post.

Rakarolla and Left Tennant continued fighting out the minor place position as Conviction surged clear going on to win by 3.5 metres from Left Tennant. Spare Me Days for Goulburn trainer Brad Hewitt charged home strongly to take the third place position with Rakarolla holding on to fourth place.

The winner recorded a good 1:56.3 mile rate and provided star stallion For A Reason with his first siring success in the race. 

Interestingly, the runner up Left Tennant is a full brother to For A Reason.

Following the race members of the day family joined the presentation of the winners’ trophy and dress rug.

Conviction will now be aimed at the fast class races as part of the Menangle Club’s Miracle Mile Carnival.

In the Hollingworth Crane Hire Service Goulburn Rose Menangle trainer KerryAnn Turner scored the first of a feature race double when Bronski Belle claimed the $19,080 race for C2/4 pacers.

Making it 6 wins from her last 9 starts, the 4-year-old Major Bronski mare was eased early before commencing a three wide move following Benalong Valley at the bell.  

Tracking Benalong Valley, Bronski Belle hit the front halfway down the Goulburn straight before going on to win by 4.2 metres over Benalong Valley who was very brave in defeat, with place going to Sams A Blast.

 PRESENTATION: Driver/trainer KerryAnn Turner presented with the rug and prize Bronski Belle's win in Race 6, the Hollingworth Crane Hire Service Goulburn Rose. Photo: Lance Fearne

The mare recorded a solid 1:57.9 mile rate for the 2240 metre distance

Turner was then successful in the last of the day, the $10,600 Sun Solutions Goulburn Mulwaree Sprint with Aztec Bromac.

In wet conditions Turner allowed the 7 year old American Ideal gelding to settle in the back half before unleashing a fast sprint over the last 300 metres.

In a dominant effort, the pair scored by 3.1 metres over of Dream To Share and Izzy Watt, and recorded a 1:57.3 mile rate in the wet conditons.

The afternoon of racing was another great success according to club secretary Mark Croatto.

“It was great to see such a good crowd come out for what was really great racing and entertainment,” Croatto said.

With the day also supporting the Convoy For Kids Goulburn charity, members of the charity were kept busy collecting the entry fee, organising a vintage truck display and going around with a donation’s bucket.

Goulburn’s next race is on April 29 when it holds the first of five race meetings primarily over the May/June period. The club’s next feature race meeting is Goulburn Sapling Stakes Day on May 13.  

Reprinted with permission of the Goulburn Post

Goulburn harness racing is brought to fans by the kind support of sponsors:

• Tabcorp
• Goulburn Soldiers Club
• Hollingworth Crane Hire Service
• Randwick Equine Centre
• RSM Accountants
• Southern Highlands Equine Centre
• Sun Solutions Goulburn
• Semco Equipment Sales

and a host of smaller businesses including: 

• Crust Gourmet Pizza
• First National Real Estate Goulburn
• Glen Mia ACT Saddlery
• Goulburn Livestock Transport
• J A Communications
• Landmark Southern Livestock Agencies
• Ranvet, and
• Top Water Carters Crookwell
• For all the latest Goulburn harness racing news visit the club’s website at goulburnpaceway.com.au or follow them on Facebook, facebook.com/goulburnpaceway/