Newcastle pays tribute to Ross Gigg tonight

Newcastle Harness Racing Club pays tribute to its former CEO Ross Gigg tonight (Jun. 30) with the annual feature race named in his honour and sponsored by the Wests Group.

The former NRL player was a member of the Penrith Panthers team back in the 1970s and 8Os and as a centre played 110 games for the club, scoring 31 tries in his career.

Gigg went on to leave his mark in harness racing, recognised as one of the best administrators in the sport during his time as Newcastle’s CEO by taking the club to another level.

His most recognised achievement was the development of the Newcastle Mile, with the feature event becoming part of the Grand Circuit which, to this day is an important lead-in race to the Miracle Mile.

Gigg spent 22 years at the helm in Newcastle and his sudden passing at the age of just 58 in 2014 certainly left a void in the club.

But his legacy continues with the Hunter Valley track regarded as one of the best in Australia.

Fellow club stalwart Darryl Rodgers says that it was only fitting for the Club to continue running the memorial race each year in Ross’ memory and he was looking forward to tonight’s staging of the event.

“We take great pride in honouring Ross each and every year,” said Rodgers.

“He was an administrative pioneer of our club, achieving so much during his time at the helm, which was integral to the strong position we see ourselves in today.”

Unfortunately, there are two scratchings from tonight’s Gigg Memorial, but it still leaves a strong field of eight runners headed by early favourite Far Out Bro (Mach Three) for trainer Adam Ruggari.

Far Out Bro, who is a Menangle winner, and to be driven by gun reinsman Jack Callaghan, has drawn poorly in gate seven, but does have class on his side.

Callaghan knows the six-year-old well, haven driven him to four wins in the past and is certain to give the entire every chance.

On June 17, Far Out Bro came from midfield to win at Tabcorp Park Menangle and despite finishing at the tail there last start, was beaten less than nine metres and did have excuses for that defeat.

His main danger, Pitch Perfect, also has to contend with an awkward draw on the inside of the second tier but has good recent winning form.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW