Action again at Tamworth this Sunday

Oh, so close. Tamworth pacer Merry Jasper just missed out on a win at Newcastle on Tuesday night when beaten by a half head by harness racing favourite Party Rage.

Merry Jasper had the services of Tom Ison in the cart and raced four back on the inside running line before giving chase down the home straight.

Trainer Brendan Hunt – who made the move from Broken Hill a couple of seasons ago – has certainly found the trick to Merry Jasper, who had his last win at Tamworth back on May 14 with Anthony Varga in the cart.

Merry Jasper had his 84th race start on Tuesday night for his 21st placing. He has six wins.

Merry Jasper and Tom Ison will pair up again on Sunday evening at the Tamworth harness meeting in the TAB.com.au pace from the three barrier.

                 ++++

Minister for Racing Paul O’Toole recently made the announcement that Ken Brown would take up the vacant position on the Board of Harness Racing NSW.

Brown has an intimate knowledge of the racing industry, having been involved in all three codes through various capacities.

He was director of the NSW Department of Gaming and Racing from 1995 to 2006. 

Recently he was a board member of Racing NSW and a member of the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority.

                 ++++

The much discussed whip rule has seen Harness Racing Australia confirm that the date for the abolition of whips from racing will be extended. 

HRA chairman Geoff Want has conceded the original implementation date of September 1 is not achievable. 

Stay tuned for more in this ongoing saga.

                 ++++

Tamworth is racing on Sunday evening with another eight-race program.

The first race, the Wardle Osborne Chartered Accountants Pace, is schedules to go at 4.53pm. 

The club is pleased to announced that their racing dates have increased to 26 meetings for the 2017/2018 season.

There are also a few Friday night meetings to be run. So this is an exciting time for harness racing in Tamworth.

It’s easy to become a member of the THRC so make contact with the club.

If you would like to place something in Keeping Pace, phone 0439 818 261.

By Julie Maughan

Reprinted with permission of The Northern Daily Leader