Lineup revealed for Decron – Noel Smith Memorial Drivers Championship

Horsham HRC has announced competitors for the 33^rd edition of the Decron Horse Care Noel Smith Memorial Horsham Invitation Drivers Championship to be staged on Monday June 17th

“Ellen Tormey returns to defend the title she won last year with two wins, a second and a third in the four heats,” said Horsham HRC President Terry Lewis. “She does battle against Greg Sugars, Chris Alford, Nathan Jack, James Herbertson, David Moran, Chris Svanosio, Jack Laugher, Jason Lee and Glen Craven in a contested series.”

“The Invitees really enjoy the competitive aspect of the day with bragging rights up for grabs but we also make a big effort for all the industry participants who have a starter at the meeting,” explained Lewis.

Three of the five, rating exempt heats should be especially attractive for connections of lower rated horses – $6000 for an up to NR45 Pace selected from the bottom upwards, a $6000 Pace for up to NR49 under the same conditions and the same again for a $6000 Trot NR up to 49.

The two other ratings exempt heats, for more highly assessed pacers, are a $9000 NR57-65 and $8000 NR 52-56.

Rounding out Horsham’s June 17 program are a $7000 3YO Maiden, $7000 2YO, $6000 Trotters Handicap and a $7000 standby 2&3YO standby.

“This is the 6th year of Decron as naming rights sponsor of the Noel Smith Memorial, Merv Butterworth will be here with us to present the perpetual shield to the winner along with Decron Horse Care product and merchandise showbags to the winning trainers of each heat,” explained Lewis.

“Carbine Chemicals were on board for our very first Horsham Invitation in 1990,” said Lewis. “And their support has continued in every year since, with Carbine Chemicals product for trainers of placegetters in every race on the card thanks to Jensen Baker.”

The 2024 field includes several young bloods along with series veteran Chris Alford who first competed in the 1993 series. It was an inauspicious debut by the then  21yo reinsman with a 4th, fall and 7th in the three heats but Alford returned to take the crown in ’94 and again in 2011 & 2017.

Along with Tormey,  other past winners in the June lineup are Sugars 2015, Jason Lee 2021 and Jack Laugher 2022 but the late Gavin Lang, with four Invitation Titles (1991, 1992, 1996 and 2024) is still the one they have to catch.

Nominations for the meeting close @ Noon Wednesday 12^th June and trainers can find full program details here – Meeting Program – Australian Harness Racing

by Tony Logan