Marburg's terrific race day

Sometimes you put in a massive effort to lay the foundation of a successful harness racing meeting, usually accompanied by considerable expense.

Any one, or combination of factors, can contrive to snatch misery from the jaws of joy.

On Sunday, however, all the good things happened.

The weather was excellent, and the crowd, in the order of 1200 people of all ages, saw traditional country harness racing at its best.

The patrons did all the things that a race club committee hopes for. They ate, they drank, and they bet, and most of all, they enjoyed the day. So much so that they were three and four deep on the rail to watch the last race, and the Tug-o-War challenge that followed after.

In normal circumstances there is a significant exit of patrons after the main event. Not so this time.

First prize money in both the Oakwood Capital Final and the Oakwood Consolation stayed in the Marburg footprint, which was yet another plus.

The $25,000 Oakwood Capital Goldstrike Series final was won by  Majordoit. Driver/trainer Tim Gillespie summed it up perfectly.

"This is proper harness racing, a standing start handicap,'' Gillespie said.

The Oakwood Capital Goldstrike Consolation final was taken out by Leo The Lion, driven by an elated Nikki Chalk at the juicy odds of $31.10. Tess Neaves was the winning trainer.

It was again proof positive that harness has the spectacle, the speed and the excitement, which puts the crowd on its toes.

 

Taking a line through the on course tote hold makes one think that we probably held a satisfactory figure off course.

The Marburg venue provides an excellent backdrop to the racing, as it shows the horse in his natural element, green grass, brown earth and trees.

This adds an extra element to the Sky Channel picture for the lounge room punter.

The TAB future will however be in the lap of the number crunchers, and the dedicated people at the Marburg Pacing Association await comment on this.

The Marburg committee thanked everyone who chose to get "up close and personal'' with the action on Sunday and hope to see them back on Saturday, May 14.

 

Easter Sunday race results at Marburg

Race 1: Calibre Earthmoving Mobile Start (1850m) – (1) Sugar Brichers (Adam Richardson); (2) Taffy Boy (Chris Petroff); (3) Chump Chop (Darren Ebert). Margins: 1.2m x 4.3m. M/r: 2-02.4. Last 400m: 30.5.

Race 2: Stanley Road Contruction Mobile Start (1850m) – (1) Notmuchuptop (Gary Whitaker); (2) Getinanhangon (Tim Gillespie); (3) Mahalo (Peter Greig). Margins: 3.7m x 7.7m. M/r: 2-02.7. Last 400m:28.7.

Race 3: Trafquip Pty Ltd Mobile Start (1850m) – (1) Lockton Art (Paul Diebert); (2) Dalacos Empress (Lola Weidemann); (3) Lighthorse (Paul Matis).

Margins: NK x 4.4m. M/r: 2-03.4. Last 400m: 31.4.

Race 4: Civforce Traffic Management Mobile Start (1850m) – (1) Joey Tee (Adam Richardson); (2) Hot Dogma (Ross Fletcher); (3) Arts Peregrine (Hayden Barnes). Margins: 20.3m x 2.5m. M/r: 2-01.1. Last 400m: 29.9.

Race 5: TCP Bulk Haulage Handicap Standing Start (2200m) -(1) Go Ahead Makemyday (Gary Whitaker; (2) Sodeska (Errol Cain); (3) Norahs Fling (Adam Richardson). Margins: 28.7m x 5.3m. M/r: 2-07.7. Last 400m: 31.4.

Race 6: Oakwood Capital Goldstrike Consolation Final Handicap Standing Start (2200m) – (1) Leo The Lion (Nikki Chalk); (2) Lucky Ned Pepper (Hayden Barnes); (3) Invite Only (Darrell Graham). Margins: 3.4m x HFNK. M/r: 2-05.5. Last 400m: 30.2.

Race 7: Oakwood Capital Goldstrike Final Standing start (2200m) – (1) Majordoit (Tim Gillespie); (2) Corey William (Peter Greig); (3) Chevals Diamond (Lola Weidemann). Margins: 3.5m x 4.8m. M/r: 2-04.5. Last 400m: 28.8.

Race 8: IH Capital Pace Standing Start (2200m) – (1) Blue Eyed Creation (Justin Elkins); (2) Newmerella Sharkie (Brett Towns); (3) Beauty Bound (Adam Richardson). Margins: 1.6m x 21.4m. M/r: 2-02.8. Last 400m: 30.8.

Race 9: Leckie Insurance Brokers Mobile Start (2200m) – (1) Domestic Art (Hayben Barnes); (2) Ruato Bay (Chris Petroff); (3) Madeyamoney (Lola Weidemann).

Margins: 27m x HFHD. M/r: 2-02.7. Last 400: 28.8.

by Denis Smith

Reprinted with permission of The Queensland Times