A photo finish for Charlton Cup

The progressive team at the Charlton Harness Racing Club in Central Victoria undoubtedly works best under pressure – but even they admit they’re a little nervous about the fast-approaching Charlton Pacing Cup deadline.

The Cup is less than two weeks away, on March 20, and there’s plenty of work to be done on the major redevelopment the club has underway.

“It will be down to the wire completing stage two of the development at Charlton Park so fingers crossed there are no more hold ups,” club president Joey Thompson said.

The second stage of the project, which will transform the experience of patrons and participants alike, has had more than its share of rain delays.

It comes after the club led the way in developing some of regional Victoria’s best raceday facilities in the $4.2 million first stage of the Charlton Park development, a regional sporting and community hub completed in 2020.

The Charlton Harness Racing Club then secured another $190,000 from the Victorian Government grant to undertake the second stage of development.

If the plans are completed by cup day, patrons and participants will enjoy an improved horse viewing area, which overlooks the new marshalling yard.

“As a club we feel it is vital to have the connection between the horses, drivers and the public,” Thompson said.

“Moving the parade ring closer to where patrons can see the horses will mean this can happen.

“The construction of two stable barns will almost complete the upgrade surrounding the new building, following on from the newly completed vet shed and horse washes.

“We hope that participants will enjoy more comfort, especially in the extreme weather that we can get here in Charlton.”

The Charlton Training Centre is now one of regional Australia’s liveliest training hubs, with 50 horses in work from an impressive community-owned and volunteer-run facility.

The club recently attracted WA trainers Ashley and Tamara Markham to their training complex after completing a new 32m X 12m shed, with areas for feed, harness, a wash and an undercover section for harnessing up. Another 10 day-yards were also completed recently and more than 50 shade shelters, as well as the planting of more than 400 trees.

“It’s been a long and at times a frustrating process to get to this stage, but we’re determined to continue to move forward progressively for the good of racing here in Charlton and for the harness racing industry which is such a big part of this region,” Thompson said.

“Somehow, we will be ready for March 20, and it’ll be fantastic to have a big crowd to our Pacing Cup to show them what we’re achieving here.”

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink