On Track 2024 (DRAFT 2)Pages AT - Flipbook - Page 26
SHETLAND’S TO STEAL
THE SHOW AT
The Valley
The final meeting of the season at The
It’s been a fantastic initiative, with the Series
Valley is a day stacked with stakes racing,
going around Australia, with Eagle Farm, Ascot,
but the Shetland Pony race could be hard
Gold Coast, Warwick Farm, and Morphettville,
to beat as the most popular of the day.
before the Finals at Randwick on April 20.
Shetland racing is common in the United
The pony racers have been able to sport some
Kingdom – there’s even a Grand National
of the most famous colours in Australian racing,
at Cheltenham – and now it’s going to be
thanks to the sponsorship and support by Annabel
showcased on a Group 1 day at The Valley.
Neasham Racing, Arrowfield Stud, Carl and Lorraine
The Exhibition Race has been made
possible thanks to Thoroughbred Industry
Careers and Pony Club Australia.
Holt, Chris Waller Racing, Ciaron Maher Racing,
Craig Sneesby, Frank and Christine Cook, Gai
Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, Godolphin,
Hermitage Thoroughbreds, Inglis, Jonathan Munz,
A trial day will be held at The Valley
Linda Huddy, Lizzie Jelfs Racing Club, Magic
before the big day on March 23.
Millions, Ranvet, Seymour Bloodstock, Tony Gollan
Racing, Woppitt Bloodstock and Yulong Stud.
Leading the field out will be MVRC’s very own
Junior Jock mascot, Crossword the Shetland.
It will be the second Pony Race to have featured
at The Valley during the 2023/24 season. TIC, in
conjunction with Pony Club Australia, launched a
in the pony race, those are the people sponsoring
the series. Without them, we don’t have anything,”
TIC Chief Executive Officer Lindy Maurice said.
National Pony Racing Series, with The Valley having
“It’s all down to their generosity and their passion for
played host to the second race day, which took
the industry to support a grassroots program like this.
place under lights on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Eve.
They’ve all put in a significant amount of money, and
A field of 10 riders lined up in each of the two races
I guess our visual thank you is by seeing their silks.”
held on the night, with a Small Pony and Large Pony
The primary focus is on progressing riding
Category. In the Large Pony Category, it was a dashing
abilities and skills, acquiring balance, fitness,
victory by Robert Scobie aboard Darcy. Sporting
and control, and ensuring the overall well-
the colours of Annabel Neasham, Darcy made it a
being of both the pony and the rider.
one-act affair, scorching down The Valley straight.
The Pony Racing Series showcases the stars
of tomorrow, and in a huge thrill for the junior
riders, champion jockeys Glen Boss and Michelle
Payne lent their support at The Valley.
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“All those colours that you’re seeing represented