Historic Cups return to revitalised Donaldson Park

Officials at the Wedderburn Harness Racing Club in country Victoria must, at times, have felt everything was stacked against them in returning the town’s historic pacing and trotting cups to their home track.

Redevelopment work on a new community complex required relocation of the 2022 and 2023 Wedderburn Cup meetings – and as that project was nearing completion, a horrendous flood on Christmas Day 2023 caused major damage to the racing surface.

But with a new $3.9M community function complex now open and serving racing, football, cricket, netball and hockey, and the track repaired and resurfaced, the club made the perfect return to Donaldson Park on Australia Day on Sunday (Jan 26).

Flawless weather, a great crowd and competitive racing demonstrated what country harness racing is all about.

Shepparton couple Donna Castles and Doc Wilson had a day out, with three winners including, one of the major features, the Reeves Earthmoving Wedderburn Trotters Cup, with diminutive mare Berriesandcherries (Crazed).

Beginning only steadily from her 20-metre backmark in the standing start feature, Castles allowed the 2955-metre marathon race to unfold, as co-favorite Wish Upona Dream (Michael Bellman) made the early running with a lightning move to the lead from a 10-metre handicap.

Castles made her move at the 1200-metre mark, taking Berriesandcherries to the death-seat, from where she was simply too strong in the final lap, recording a time of 2:05.6, just point four of a second outside the track record.

“It makes it a bit hard that she doesn’t have great speed but this little girl deserves this,” an elated Castles said of Berriesandcherries 14^th career win.

“She wasn’t handling the last turn so well, so I’m glad we were up there in the death, and I always know she gives me everything she’s got,” she said.

“Full credit to the Wedderburn Club. Fantastic sponsors, every race you win a rug, the crowd is amazing, and it’s been a great day.”

It was also a super day for Berriesandcherries’ part owner Lorraine Barnes, who was on track to celebrate her birthday with the win by the eight-year-old mare.

In the Loddon Shire Wedderburn Pacing Cup, it was an emotional victory for connections of the Steve and Corey O’Donoghue trained Western Sonador (Western Terror), who added to his success in the Gunbower Pacing Cup in December.

That Gunbower success was Western Sonador’s first outing in eight months, and was followed by highly creditable performances in the Shepparton Gold Cup (4^th) and the Bendigo Cup (6^th) before his Wedderburn victory.

His breeder John Eichhorn is thrilled to see the nine-year-old’s return to form.

“We had problems with him for 12 months or so and we really didn’t think we’d get him back – so it’s a great win and a great day,” an emotional Eichhorn said.

Victorious reinswoman Rebecca Bartley is relishing the renewed association with Western Sonador and turned in a brilliant drive.

Awkwardly drawn on the back row from barrier eight, Bartley settled Western Sonador early and was third last at one stage on the tight half-mile circuit.

The hot favorite Raging Whitebait (Kate Gath) pressed forward early to sit in the death seat outside Goawayagain (Lochie Cook), before pulling his way to the front with 1500 metres to go.  When that happened, Bartley popped out for a three-wide move to sit outside Raging Whitebait. She surged to the front as the field straightened, and narrowly held off the fast-finishing Shadow Celt and Lincoln River in a time of 1:58.6 for the 2555 metre journey.

“I worked with Steve and Anne (O’Donoghue) for 15 years. I’ve gone out on my own now but it’s great to get back on the horse when it works out. I consider them family,” Bartley said.

“It was a long last lap. I pulled the plugs early to keep him switched on and I’ve got to admit I was a bit concerned around the turn.  He probably couldn’t see those ones coming at him out wide, but he did a great job and dug deep,” she said.

Harness racing began at Wedderburn in 1886, with the club recognised as Victoria’s oldest, but because it stopped racing during the war years, nearby Boort is recognized as the State’s oldest continuous club.

View all the races and results, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink