Gunbower geared up for cracker of a Cup meeting

The small northern Victorian township of Gunbower is abuzz as the local harness racing club prepares for its annual Pacing Cup on Victoria’s biggest harness racing track this Sunday afternoon.

“We missed out having it last year and now the community is certainly going to rally and get right behind us,” President Roger Brereton said.

“The population is probably only a few hundred people these days, but the town’s spirit is so alive. Two years ago, we had the biggest crowd for ages and this Sunday could be better than that because people are definitely wanting to get out and do things,” he said.

Brereton, a dairy farmer, has been Gunbower Club President since 2005.

“I was secretary before that for seven years and have been involved in the sport for many years,” he said.

“While I haven’t trained too many, I did stand Stormy Lodge at stud for 17 years. He was given to me because the owners knew I would have a good home for him.

“One year we got 29 mares which was the best. Usually there would be between 15 and 20 mares, and we started off charging $300 and later it went up to $500. It was like having a hobby on a dairy farm, but it paid for our holidays each year.

“A few that come to mind that were sired by Stormy Lodge and turned out pretty good included Bing, Hawaiian Star and a trotter in Stormy Cloverdell. We haven’t got any horses on the farm now-we haven’t had any for years.”

Brereton said the Gunbower Club was formed in 1924.

“The gallops were up and going around 1880 and they’d have a few trotting races now and again. The Gath family come from around this area-Brian Gath’s grandfather started up here,” he said.

“We raced on the gallops grass track until the 1970s. We then took four years to establish our own harness racing track. It was all done voluntarily. The track is 1239 metres and was the biggest in Australia before they built Menangle.”

Brereton said the cup was a “real community day” and valuable longtime Cup sponsor the Gunbower Family Hotel is back on board.

“Of course, the bar and TAB will be operating and we’ll have a coffee van and plenty to eat. For the kids, the gigantic water slide was very popular with a few years ago and it will be back.

“We’ll also be having the gumboot throwing competition again – but unfortunately we’ve had to forego the Dummy Spit Competition this year.”

The club has managed to hang onto most sponsors particularly the McGillivrays at the Gunbower Hotel, which have sponsored the cup for many years, but also other race sponsors like K L Cooke and Sons, MVP Feeds Cohuna, Gunbower Butchery, Echuca Steel Sheds, Cohuna Car Sales, Mawsons, and Gunbower Life Members and Volunteers.

Brereton said the club was delighted with the quality of the fields.

“There’s nine races and 87 horses competing, and the bigger stables will be well-represented,” he said.

“The 2021 Pacing Cup promises to be a great race with the strong Julie Douglas stable having two runners. There’s a few others who will have chances as well.”
Brereton said 80 tonnes of top dressing had been put on the track on Wednesday.

“We put it out using a super spreader. It went out evenly so the track will be in tip-top condition.”

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink