It was 9 January 1996 when the curtain fell on harness racing at Ulverstone.
While the club raced on for several seasons at other venues, the Cup still survives, conducted by the Devonport Harness Racing Club, which holds several feature races at the Launceston Pacing Club race meeting on Sunday.
Charlie Castles wasn’t born when the last meeting was held at the North-West Coast venue, but he has two runners engaged in the Cup.
Castles trains and drives Bettablack Tiger, while Rohan Hillier will take the reins on stablemate, Sabine.
Bettablack Tiger recorded a narrow win in a 2200m mobile start Free For All in Launceston two weeks ago, when first-up from a break.
“Racing in the death wasn’t really his go first-up, in that grade especially, but he held off Miki Pins, who clearly has a pretty good record, so I was very happy with the run,” said Castles.
The Betterthancheddar five-year-old gelding has won nine of his 19 starts, with Sunday’s 2698m event being his first standing start assignment.
“He was good away in his trial, and he was safe, so I probably won’t rush him out, but we’ll just get away and see where we end up with him.
Sunday’s race is also his first attempt over the longer trip since finishing midfield in the Tasmanian Derby.
“I don’t think the distance will be any issue for him at all. He seems to grind his races out well.
Sabine has won two races this season and finished fourth in the recent Sheffield Cup in Launceston.
“If she didn’t pull, I think she would have been with them. She just got up in the breeze and just wanted to take them on a bit.
“I think if she can get a cold, sit somewhere, and there is a reasonable tempo, I think she’s right in it.”
Castles is also involved in other $14,000 races on the night.
The Leis Fillies & Mares Series recognises the contribution of Trevor Leis, a highly successful breeder, owner and former Tasracing board member.
Castles has two runners in the race, including Alwaysatiger, whom he will also drive.
“We set her for the Jane Ellen last time, and she won. And then this race being a four-win limit, we were happy to give her an easy time after that and bring her back for this one,” said the trainer-driver.
Malcom Jones will partner stablemate Tullah Girl.
“She is the sort of horse that needs the right trip, but I think again, if the tempo’s on and they’ve been working, she is definitely a chance.
The Max McCormack is another $14,000 race of note to the Devonport Harness Racing Club.
The race honours respected Devonport Harness Racing Club stalwart Max McCormack, a long-time contributor to harness racing on the North-West Coast.
The race is restricted to horses that have won no more than $15,000.
Castles will partner the Robert Gillie-trained Charli Pippen, who finished second last start.
“It is a good draw for him, and I think he’s probably one of the better chances. After his first run, I was a bit concerned about where he was at, but his last run was pretty good, and he finished off, so I’ll just see what happens there,” Castles said.
Despite the earlier start time of 16:04, all races will be televised on Sky Racing 1.
