Gloucester Park set to showcase WA’s talent

Friday September 6 promises to be an exciting night at Gloucester Park, with a bumper card of WA harness racing talent taking battle in the numerous age restricted features as well open westbred races, with the inaugural W Night showcasing the best of WA breeding.

The entire program is dedicated to westbred progeny, with the Group 1 2YO Westbred Classics for both the fillies and the colts and geldings highlighting the program, as well as the Gr2 3YO Westbred Classics featuring.

With an owner’s appreciation event on the night for the extremely low price of $50, WA owners are in for a real treat, with media personality and avid harness racing fan, now a bubbling owner himself, Tim Gossage the MC for the event.

“(I’m) Looking forward to that night in September, it’s going to be huge and looking forward to rubbing shoulders with other owners and prospective owners, it’s going to be a great night for harness racing, which is on a real rise at the moment and I’m excited to be a part of it.” Tim told the listeners of Off and Pacing on Monday morning.

It could be an even more exciting night for Tim Gossage, who is likely to have Bettagetonpip in the Gr1 Westbred Classic for the 2YO fillies.

“And she’s living up to all expectations and it’s been a crazy ride,

“I describe myself, tongue in cheek as the Bob Peters of harness racing but it’s just so much fun,

“I love the industry, I love going anywhere, anytime to watch them, but Gloucester Park being our feature track, I’m looking forward to it (W Night).

Tim Gossage who re-emerged in the game in more recent times has spent the past few years as the MC of KTC Bloodstocks annual Yearling Parade, but last year he went one further, making his way to the Magic Millions sale complex for the 2023 APG Yearling Sales, and the journey has been one he has loved every minute of.

Sitting behind Ryan Bell during the sale, it was by chance he met Tiffany Sharpe and soon found himself a part owner in the now Bettagetonpip, who has been a key player in the two-year-old fillies races this year and races this Friday night in the 2YO Diamond Classic.

“This is the thing about this industry, I think for me, and through my social media, I’ve brought in probably six or seven first time owners who now go to the trots, who now tell their friends about it, who now have an investment,

“It’s really just fun, its just fun to be involved and it doesn’t have to be expensive, and I get a buzz going to Wagin as I do going to Gloucester Park or Pinjarra, or Bunbury, or wherever it may be, the fact is we’re up close and personal and learning about the industry, even for an old timer like me, I just love the people in the industry,

“I get a buzz saying hello to them, I love the thrill of winning and the thrill of going on the track and getting your photo taken, I’m an old-fashioned guy, I love a good photo.”

The next six weeks of racing is going to be a big one for the juveniles, with five group 1 races aimed at the two-year-olds whip a whopping $780,000 in prizemoney on offer.

Gr1 $100,000 Diamond Classic this Friday for the fillies (August 9)

Gr1 $100,000 Pearl Classic Final for the Colts and Geldings (August 16)

Gr1 $215,000 Westbred Classic for Fillies (September 6)

Gr1 $215,000 Westbred Classic for Colts and Geldings (September 6)

Gr1 $150,000 Golden Slipper (September 27)

“Racing WA are committed to support and promote the Western Australian breeding industry through the Westbred scheme – Australia’s leading juvenile race scheme which paid out $3.6million in bonuses last year and counting.

“We are excited to bring together W Night in 2024, a full night to celebrate all things Westbred, including $650,000 in Westbred finals for two and three-year-olds.” Cameron Brown – Head of Harness Racing and Special Projects at Racing WA.

The Owners Only Appreciation night will be held on September 6 in the Radiant Oro room at Gloucester Park, hosted by Tim Gossage.

At $50 per ticket, you wont find better value anywhere, with a food and beverage package included on the night, as well as plenty of entertainment on and off the track on the night.

To secure your ticket, head to Owners Only Harness Appreciation Race Night Tickets, Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 5:30 PM | Eventbrite, with limited tickets available.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA