Drivers ready to pitch in for Flood Relief ’23

No sport pitches in to help someone in trouble quite like harness racing.

And few regions have done it tougher than Eugowra, which was inundated with flooding at the end of last year, washing away so much of this popular harness racing town.

So it is hardly surprising that some of this state’s best reinsmen and women will come from far and wide and head to Eugowra tomorrow for what has turned into a magnificent fund-raising day for those who were so badly affected by the floods.

There will be several highlights on the eight-race program, with the main  feature the $20,400 TAB Diggers Cup.

Yet the community will turn out in droves to watch some of the state’s leading lights compete in a two-race invitational drivers’ series to raise much-needed funds for the Flood Relief ’23 drive put together by Harness Racing NSW.

It was a natural evolution of the overwhelming support the harness racing fraternity in NSW has afforded the flood relief efforts since the weather-pattern disaster late last year.

While the Forbes track was all but washed away and declared unsafe for racing, surprisingly, the Eugowra track was a small part of that region that didn’t go under water.

And it didn’t take long for drivers from across the state to pledge their support for an event to get the town back on its feet.

Inter Dominion and Nullarbor-winning reinsman Cameron Hart will lead a band from Sydney, including Jack Callaghan, Rob Morris and Will Rixon, who will fly the Sydney flag at the meeting and compete in the drivers’ invitation races.

Grace Panella and Blake Hughes will also make the seven and a half hour drive from Newcastle to take part, while four of the region’s champion drivers Bernie Hewitt, Nathan Turnbull, Amanda Turnbull and Mat Rue will represent the locals.

Each driver is being kindly supported by a business or organisation that has pledged financial support to assist in the fundraising effort.

“They’ve been through a tough time and we have to get behind these people and families that need things put back together if we can help,” said Morris.

“We’re always happy to chip in and that’s one thing this industry is good for when people are down and out.

“Hopefully we can have some fun and get a couple of winners too.

“I’ve only had a couple of drives there and not done too well.

“Let’s just hope we can put a few smiles on their faces and raise some much-needed coin.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Court, for Harness Racing New South Wales