One of the major harness events on the local calendar, Echuca Harness Racing Club held its annual Easter Cup meet on Sunday night.
With entry free, a good crowd made its way down to the Frank Ryan Raceway on Simmie St for the eight-race card, kicking off from 5.30pm, with plenty of on and off-track entertainment present at the event.
In the feature race (five), the eponymous Byford Equipment Easter Cup, the Alex Ashwood-driven Tooram Cee Cee stormed home by several lengths to score the win for Elmore trainer Keith Cotchin.
There was also local success in race six, the Rich River Golf Club Pace, where Lockington trainer Ted Jepsen’s Soho Playgirl was a clear winner, Laura Wilson driving home the hot $2 favourite.
The punters' favourite would likely have been the race one winner, Alcatraz Girl.
The mare opened as a rank outsider at $81, but by race time, had firmed heavily to just $4.40 when it took the opening race by 2.5m.
Anyone who jumped on fixed odds at $81 will be quite a bit richer after the win.
Marketed as a family event, the off-track entertainment was a hit with the kids, with the jumping castle and petting zoo popular from the moment the gates opened.
Later, an Easter egg hunt and an appearance from Batman and Wonder Woman continued the family fun.
Along with the eight main races, the ponies got their chance in the spotlight with two handicapped pony trots races held throughout the evening.
Pixie Dust, driven by Amelia Walliss did the double on the night, taking out the prelude and cup races.
This was the Echuca Harness Racing Club’s first Easter Cup since Harness Racing Victoria cut local meets in half.
2024-25 saw the club run only six meets, down from 12 in the preceding years.
The club has maintained a six-meet schedule for the 2025-26 season, amidst continuing cuts to regional racing venues.
EHRC’s final meet of the current season is set down for June 10.