Wyndham Club rewarded for upping stakes

The Wyndham Harness Racing Club have put on record stakes of $253,500 for its meeting at Young Quinn Raceway at Wyndham on Sunday.

“The Club put a bit in just to get the races up to $15,000 minimum. In this day and age it’s the stakes that are going to encourage people to race,” Wyndham HRC President Brendan Duffy said.

He also added that the congestion in race meetings the southern region was experiencing a few weeks ago has eased.

“We had a few too many race meetings in a short amount of time. This time there’s been a bit more of a breather for horses.”

The eleven race card features the 65th running of the Kindergarten Stakes which was first held in 1961 for a stake of $1,350.

Sunday’s feature is worth $60,000 and Mark Purdon will be looking at extending his wonderful training record in the race – his name appears fourteen times on the trophy.

His 2025 hope is Special Occasion (Captaintreacherous), part owned by Glenys and Phil Kennard. Blair Orange will be in the sulky.

Orange has won the two year old feature six times while the Kennard’s have been successful with Rubira, First Class, Flying Even Bettor and Pacing Major.

In the third heat of the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Captain Commodore (Captain Crunch) will be looking to win his third race in a row.

The $40,000 Group Three Wyndham Champagne Stakes, a new addition to the card.

“It’s attracted good numbers and I think it’s a feature we can build on and turn into quite a good race.”

The Champagne Stakes has drawn an excellent field of mares including hometown hero Lakelsa (Captaintreacherous) owned by local stalwarts Bruce and Al Sinclair.

“Bruce Sinclair doesn’t need any more money does he (laughter)? It’s good to see them doing well. They’ve been good supporters of the Club and it’s good to see them have a good horse going around. Hopefully having her run on her home track will encourage a few people to come out and have a look.”

The main handicap race of the day, the Hunter Family Handicap Pace, has drawn a near capacity field of thirteen runners including Betterthancash, Miraculous, Piccadilly Pete, Wag Star, American Me, Macandrew Aviator and South Seas Rock.

“The Hunter family has done a lot for the Wyndham Club over the years.”

The day also sees strong numbers and competitive fields in all supporting races with horses like Secret Agent Man, Bring On The Muscle and Prosperity featuring.

“Even fields get even punting.”

Children will be well catered for with a bouncy castle, mini jeeps and sack races throughout the day.

“We’ve got good sponsors for the day. Quite a few have put their hand up for this meeting, which is great.”

The first race at the Young Quinn Raceway gets underway at 12.05pm on Sunday.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink