Sabotage blamed for Port Pirie lights failure

Sabotage has been identified as the cause of the lighting failure that forced the abandonment of one of regional South Australia’s premier harness racing events on Saturday night.

The Port Pirie Harness Racing Club and Harness Racing South Australia confirmed today (Oct 9) that an inspection of the club facilities had revealed deliberate damage to the lighting system.

Harness Racing SA had heavily promoted its Kadina Pacing and Trotting Cup meeting, and attracted a huge crowd trackside, aided by interest created by 14-times winner and Group level performer Tango Tara accepting for the pacer’s cup.

The powerful Andy and Kate Gath stable in Victoria entered Tango Tara due to the cup being a qualifier for the $60,000 South Australian Pacing Cup on October 28.

But as daylight faded and the lights should have kicked in after Race Two, the catastrophic failure of the track lighting became evident, and the remainder of the meeting had to aborted.

A statement released by Port Pirie Club and HRSA said multiple wires were cut which led to the malfunctioning of two light towers on the back straight. Police have been notified and are investigating.

HRSA said racecourse operations, including lighting, are checked in the days and weeks leading up to regional SA meetings.

“This is bitterly disappointing news for the club, participants, and industry, in what was a much-anticipated race meeting. The track canteen alone took almost $4,000 with only two of the eight races conducted,” the statement said.

Late today, the lights were back on at Port Pirie, ensuring its next meeting goes ahead on Tuesday night October 17.

The club posted on its social media that thanks to “Steve Lane and our amazing volunteers (Dale Afford, Julieanne Smith, Stan Loizeau, Chris Harvey, Graham Johnson and Peter Allen) for getting our track lights back up and running”.

The club added it has also installed security cameras around the facility.

The six races unable to be conducted at Port Pirie will be held at Globe Derby Park tonight (Oct 10).

Field composition and barrier draws remain the same, with emergencies reinstated.

For the full fields, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink