Golden moments revisited as VSTA celebrates its stars

The top harness racing horses and participants from yet another wonderful year of Victorian trotting were applauded during a big gathering in the Legends Room at Melton on Saturday night.

More than 100 people turned out as the Victorian Square Trotters Association reflected on a big 2022 season, with six-year-old mare Black And Gold commanding much of the attention.

The daughter of Ships Spur collected a trio of awards – the Chris E Howe Country Trotter of the Year, Aged Trotter of the Year and Trotter Racemare of the Year – on a memorable night for her trainer Brett Shipway and fellow owner Colleen Batson, who also bred the horse.

It was also a special night for a number of other participants, including VSTA president Anne-Maree Conroy after she was presented with the Bob Conroy Award for Excellence in Trotting.

Anne-Maree spoke passionately about her late father, and was thrilled to have mother Pat and many family members at the function to celebrate.

Yabby Dam Farms was named Breeder of the Year and had a number of horses win age/sex awards, the Dick Lee Rising Star Award went to young reinswoman Jackie Barker, Katrina Knight claimed the Colin Redwood Passion, Perseverance and Determination in Trotting Award, and Katrina Fitzpatrick was presented life membership of the association.

ANNE-MAREE CONROY CHATS WITH PAUL CAMPBELL:

AWARDS

2YO Male Trotter of the Year: The Locomotive

2YO Female Trotter of the Year: Rockinwithattitude

3YO Female Trotter of the Year: Egret/Revelstoke

3YO Male Trotter of the Year: Cravache Dor

Chris E Howe – Country Trotter of the Year: Black And Gold

Aged Trotter of the Year: Black And Gold

Trotter Racemare of the Year: Black And Gold

Trotting Sire of the Year: Bacardi Lindy

Trotting Broodmare of the Year: Elusive Charm

Trotting Driver of the Year: Chris Alford

Trotting Trainer of the Year: Brent Lilley

Breeder of the Year: Yabby Dam Farms

Bob Conroy Trotting Excellence Award: Anne-Maree Conroy

Colin Redwood Passion, Perseverance and Determination in Trotting Award: Katrina Knight

Dick Lee Rising Star Award: Jackie Barker

VSTA Lifetime Achievement in Trotting Award: Dick Lee

VSTA life membership: Katrina Fitzpatrick

VSTA Member Recognition Award: John Davidson

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria