Gunbower is set to shine this Sunday with the harness racing club hosting their very special centenary meet.
Featuring the $14,000 saveourbacon.com.au Centenary Trotters Cup and the $14,000 Brereton Family Centenary Pacers Cup amongst the eight-race field, attendees will be treated to a fine day’s racing when the first race kicks off at 1.10pm.
Gates will open from 10am and the day is jam packed with celebrations including a special luncheon for invited guests, including chairman of HRV Dale Monteath and CEO of HRA Andrew Kelly.
RSN racing commentator Mick McGuane will be on course while Cohuna local Patrick Doyle has the job of calling the racing on the day.
Patrick said it is an honour to celebrate the milestone with the racing community.
“As a local, Gunbower is close to my heart and I am looking forward to getting trackside amongst the big crowd,” Patrick said.
He said harness racing is experiencing a rival and it is important to support grass roots, country based clubs.
“Meetings like Gunbower are where it all starts and to have Mick McGuane and some of the head bosses of harness racing on course for the day will allow us to not only showcase the centenary of the club but harness racing in general,” Patrick said.
To celebrate the centenary the club has commissioned and will debut their recently published book – The Gunbower Harness Racing Club 1924-2024. The book features the highs and lows and the colourful history of the club, including racing families who pioneered harness racing in the region.
Copies will be on sale for $20 along with caps and stubby holders.
There will also be activities for the kids, a marquee, fishing club barbecue and coffee van.
Club President Roger Brereton said Gunbower now joins Boort in being one of the very few country race clubs to reach the centenary milestone.
“It has very much been a community effort for the club to make it this far and who would have thought we would be here celebrating a hundred years later.
“To the people who had the foresight to establish the club, I thank you,” Roger said.
Roger said he is expecting a large crowd on Sunday and with a full card and temperatures in the low 30s, racegoers should be in for a real treat.
“We have a hard-working committee and it has been a real community effort to get this day organised and I hope everyone has a really enjoyable day.”
He said family representatives connected to the pioneering families are travelling from across the state.
“We have people coming from Geelong and Seymour to be part of the day and there will be a lot of family connections which will be great,” Roger said.