Echuca club on track for 2022

The vibrant Echuca Harness Racing Club has been busy with resurfacing works on its 805-metre track.

Club President Robert Height, who has held that role for many years, said 60 tonnes of sand had been spread out at the Frank Ryan Raceway.

“It’s just a regular sand replacement program that we do,” Height said.

“The dirt that we took from the main track was added to the training track that’s situated on the inside. The job was completed in three days, and it’s all come up terrific.

“Our track curator Neville Lister, who has been with us for the last 10 years, kept a watchful eye on things and he’s delighted.” Click here to view the update.

Height said the club would give the new surface its first formal test run at its qualifying trials next Sunday.

“Our next race meeting is on February 24 and then we have our 2022 Pacing Cup fixture on March 25,” he said.

“We have 12 meetings each year. We’d love to have a few more because the racing here is always competitive.”

The recent annual New Year’s Day night meeting saw a big 10 race program with over 85 horses competing, and the drivers’ list read like a “who’s who” in the Victorian harness racing world-Greg Sugars, John Caldow, Brian Gath, John Justice, Ellen Tormey, Tayla French, Michael Bellman and James Herbertson.

The club has set its sights on also growing its member base this year, and harness racing fans wanting to support the club can sign up now for a full season of benefits.

Membership is $50 per year, but for trainers wanting to use the track for training purposes, the annual fee is $200. More information is available from the club on (03) 5482 2036.