Harriott day to showcase Queensland trotters

The Marburg Harness Racing Association is hopeful of replicating the popular Redwood harness racing meeting in Victoria when they run an all trotters program this Sunday to honour a club legend.

The South East Queensland club  will showcase the square gaiters of the Sunshine State when they host a race meeting exclusively for trotters.

The meeting will be run on ‘Harriott Day’ for 2025 which recognises the memory of the late Graham Harriott.

The respected Harriott was a former Marburg Harness Racing Association president before he died suddenly in 2012 when he had a strong team of horses in work.

Since Harriott’s passing, the Marburg club have raced an annual meeting to honour his memory and current Marburg club boss Shaun Gillespie was keen to take it to another level this year with a nod to the former harness man’s love of trotters.

“He is one of the people who pushed to get the trotters going again in Queensland,” Gillespie said.

“He always used to go to Redwood day in Victoria every year for their all trotters day.

“Graham was a real good mate of mine and we thought it would be a mark of respect to turn this day into an all trotters day for him, honouring a former president of the club.

“He was a massive trotting man that we are showing respect to as a memorial to him.”

Following Graham’s death, his widow Ann-Maree has remained heavily involved with the Marburg club.

Graham trained for over 30 years and had a few different stints as president at Marburg.

The annual Redwood Classic program in Victoria hosted by Maryborough Harness Racing Club is one of the more popular events on the calendar and brings together a feature meeting for trotters.

While Marburg’s concept is only in its infancy, the club leadership are hopeful that it will only grow following the 2025 edition.

“A day like this, if it takes off it could have a long-term positive impact on the industry,” Gillespie said.

“It could give the industry a boost in Queensland as well as the trotters as it is growing so much here.

“This could give it another kick along.

“We may not get all the top-line trotters on Sunday but hopefully we can get a lot of them.”

Gillespie has spoken to the representatives from leading stables such as Grant Dixon and Shane Graham, among others, who are keen to support the square gait showcase.

Redcliffe trainer Greg Franklin is taking Five Oclock Gerry to Marburg for the occasion.

The gelding has not been at the races since the middle of June but trialled well at Albion Park earlier this month ahead of Sunday’s assignment.

“We are going to support it,” Franklin said.

“It is a good concept and we are happy to support it.

“I hope the day is a success.”

Mufasa Metro – who finished second to multiple Group 1 champion Not As Promised on Saturday night at Albion Park – will also start at Marburg on Sunday.

Mufasa Metro has raced at Group level throughout his career with owner Mark Gurry looking forward to supporting the all trotters initiative.

President Gillespie is hopeful of attracting 2,000 people to Marburg for their feature meeting.

The Marburg Harness Racing Association will also give away a new car on Sunday.

Everyone that goes through the gate and pays their $10 entry fee goes into the draw to win a 2025 Kia Picanto.

The club have also organised a number of incentives for participants to get to the track, as well.

The leading trainer on the day will receive a brand-new sulky worth $4,500 while three service fees to stallions will be on offer from Yabby Dam Farms in Victoria.

“We have done a lot to attract everybody and we just hope that we have done enough to get the people there,” Gillespie said.

The highlights of the card are the $11,999 Graham Harriott Memorial Handicap and the $11,899 trotters free for all race with all other races on the card carrying prizemoney of close to $9,000.

by Jordan Gerrans for Racing Queensland