IT is fitting that the tradition of conducting harness racing meetings at Forbes and Coolamon will continue today when both Clubs conduct Anzac Day Ceremonies to remember those who fought for our Country.
Originally when programmed, each Club was to share TAB status by conducting four TAB and four non TAB races, however negotiations earlier this week saw both meetings gain full TAB coverage.
The formation of the Forbes Diggers āTrottingā Club in 1953 is unique as the Forbes sub-branch of the returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmenās Imperial League of Australia started the Club in a bid to raise funds to build the Forbes RSL Club which remains a thriving facility today.
Forbes has been able to attract strong fields for its eight race program, headed by the $10,000 Forbes RSL Subbranch Diggers Cup.
And the hopes of the local fraternity will be right behind the Adam Bellach trained and Abbie Howell driven Carlas Angel which has drawn barrier four against a very smart line-up.
The mare has won two of her last four starts and Howell said āyou gotta dare to dreamā.
āI am so thrilled to be driving in our hometown feature race today. Adam and Jude (Wright-owner) have been so good to me and if we could win this race in front of family and friends it would be wonderfulā, said Abbie.
If Carlas Angel is to win todayās Cup she will need to be at her best against some well performed pacers including, Make Mine Memphis which recently contested the strong Riverina Championships at Wagga.
Coolamon conducts the second of its Carnival meetings today after their successful Cups day last Sunday.
The highlight of last weekās meeting was the feat of Narrandera trainer, Ellen Bartley who trained the quinella in the feature race.
Her partner Blake Jones won the race aboard Forever Yin while Ellen almost caused an upset aboard 50-1 chance Nowherecreek who only failed by a head to overhaul its stablemate.
Like Forbes, Coolamon has attracted capacity fields highlighting the strength in numbers that country harness racing boasts.
Coolamon President Peter Dennis will be hoping his pacer Conrod Kenzie can win the Dennis Family Pace this afternoon.
HRNSW MEDIA |Ā Michael Dumesny