Leeton HRC looking forward to bumper Christmas carnival

The secretary and President of the Leeton Harness Racing Club, Joanne Punch, is busier than a one armed bricklayer with the popular NSW regional track set to host it’s ever popular summer carnival over the impending silly season.

Despite the mad rush to get everything in order, Punch is excited about the Christmas crowds expected and the opportunity for the Leeton Club to host some of the best regional pacers from all over Australia.

“We have ten race meetings a year and our Christmas carnival is always our busiest time of year with three meetings spanning the 15th of December through to New Year’s Day,” said Punch.

“On Boxing Day evening, we have our $30,000 Group Three Breeders Plate which will be its 69th running this year. It used to be heats and finals but as horse numbers have dropped away, we have made the decision to run it as a straight out final.

“We want to keep it going and used to run on the 1st of January but with the birthdate change, we had to move it to Boxing Day where instead of being the first juvenile race of the calendar year, it’s one of the last ones,” she said.

The 2022 edition was taken out by one of the local horses with the David Kennedy trained Blazing Home (Rock N Roll Heaven) easily accounting for the opposition and extending his unbeaten run that season to a perfect seven from seven. In doing so he broke the track record with a 1:53.7 mile rate over the 1758m short course sprint.

Punch who is in her third year as President and 12th as club secretary is hopeful the club can attract some more juvenile talent.

“Years ago, we could have up to 13 or 14 heats, so we just want to keep it going because it is a tradition of the club. It’s a $30,000 race, so a fantastic stake and one we hope attracts a good field,” said Punch.

The Leeton Harness Racing Club first opened for racing on a half mile track at Leeton Showground in 1916 and is situated next to the Leeton Jockey Club’s course. Night trotting commenced on the now 804m track in 1953.

The great trotter Carlottas Pride, a two-time winner of the G1 Dullard Cup time trialled in T2:05.0TT on the 5th April 1958 on the Leeton track which featured two Leeton Pacers Cup’s in 1926 and then most years since 1945 as well as the Leeton Breeders Plate for two year olds continuously from 1955.

Leeton’s Christmas Carnival kicks off on the 15th of December with the race meeting beginning from around midday through to 7pm, and the Christmas Party kicking off at 5pm through to 9pm.

“We try and make that meeting our Christmas Party where a lot of people come and enjoy their end of year break ups and things like that. We have lovely lawns at our grounds so there is a lot of spacious areas for people to make a great afternoon or night of things,” said Punch.

“We will have live music, free bouncy castles and face painting for the kids. Our local Lions Club has a train and they come and do free rides for the kids around the track. And our mini ponies will be holding raffles so they do a bit of fundraising. It is just a great family occasion with something for everyone.

“We also have a race for horses that are trained within 120km on the night with regular programming around it,” she said.

The Boxing Day meeting is a bumper day yet again with the locals taking the opportunity of the public holiday to let their hair down and re-connect with plenty who grew up in the region having come back for Christmas with the family. With Punch pointing out the fact it’s not uncommon to attract a 40 degree day at this particular meeting, the action on the track looks to be just as hot with the $30,000 G3 Breeders Plate and heats for another couple of iconic series.

“On Boxing Day we have heats of our ‘Golden Apple’ Series for up to NR50 pacers who are 4YO and older. We also have the heats of our Milbrae Quarry Series for NR60+ pacers who are 4YO and older. Both of which are competing to run in the finals at our meeting on the 1st of January. Last year we had six heats for the two series and they were well supported,” she said.

For those unfamiliar on the location, Leeton is situated approximately 550km west of Sydney and 450km north of Melbourne in the productive Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area

The Riverina town is known for the well-preserved Art Deco buildings on its main street, as well as boutique wineries, lush parks and it’s rich irrigated agricultural enterprise and diversity, making it a fantastic place for a trip away with plenty to do for everyone in the family.

“We have a number of Motel options in Leeton and two caravan parks, so there is never a shortage of options available for those traveling from out of town,” said Punch.

“If you are looking at coming over for one of the meetings, ring ahead with the club and we can inform and advise them. Similarly for trainers coming from out of town, we can find somewhere to stable their horses and make sure they are catered for.

“We have had horses from Queensland, West Australia and lots of Victorians travel for the meeting. And one thing we do have is great weather usually. It’s not uncommon for it to be a 40 degree day here in Leeton at that time of year. That can play a bit of havoc with horses travelling, but it’s all part of the parcel,” she said.

If you are interested in attending the Leeton Harness Racing Clubs iconic Christmas meeting or thinking about bringing some horses to compete, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Joanne who is only too happy to help.
You can contact the club on 0429418644 or by email: lhrc@bigpond.com

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink