10th Apr 2021 6:30 AM
TROT TACTICS EASTER has come and gone for another year. No final figures are available at this point for the Easter Sunday Fun Day trot meeting. However, Marburg Pacing Association president Scott Neaves and his committee of hardworking volunteers thank the families and trots patrons who braved the damp and threatening weather conditions to enjoy a great day s racing. The crowd appeared to be a fairly even mix of new and regular faces which makes the Marburg crew believe that they, and their harness racing product, are beginning to be seen as a great entertainment and value for money operation in the Greater Ipswich footprint.
Denis Smith WE must practise the distant early warning technique to raise awareness of coming events. Now that the COVID threat seems to be shrinking to manageable proportions we should turn our thoughts to the traditional show season and the need to present trotting/harness racing in one form or another - actual racing or exhibitions - at these traditional, annual fairs. In the not too distant past, trotting was the excitement factor at these gatherings, which were very heavily supported by exhibits of local farm produce and high class farm animals, all of which were presented with the same level of showroom shine as a new car.
Denis Smith THE following, from Jordan Gerrans on the Queensland Harness Racing website, is about the biggest event to happen in the greater Ipswich footprint in many years. What was once considered a bit of a backwater in the harness game, though it boasted a very large hobbyist contingent of owners and trainers, has become a mecca for up and coming young professionals. While the following article highlights an astronomical achievement, the Turpin-McMullen operation will soon be under siege from stables in their own backyard, all in the hands of highly competent trainers and drivers, who are determined to have their day in the sun . Harness in the Ipswich footprint has turned 180 degrees and is going forward rapidly.