The North Eastern Pacing Club is set to host one of the richest country race meetings in the state at its annual twilight race meeting at the Scottsdale Recreation Ground on Friday.
With the last round of prize money increases, several country cups, including the McLaughlin Family North Eastern Pacing Cup (2692m), were increased to $20,000, while the base minimum stakes for TAB-covered meetings were lifted to $8,000.
It was only in 2010 that several country cups were worth $8,000 in stakes.
North Eastern Pacing Club president Kent Rattray hopes to win this year’s cup as the trainer of Rockandahardplace. He also prepares the first emergency, Colby Sanz.
Rockandahardplace won the 2022 North Eastern Pacing Cup, which was held in Launceston after COVID-19 caused the abandonment of the annual Scottsdale meeting that year.
“It took him a little while to come right after he went down in (after raring and subsequently falling at the start) the heat of the Golden Apple in Launceston,” said Rattray.
“We took him to Carrick and trialled him, and he ran well.
“We then had problems with corns (in his feet), as we have through the season, so he has had a couple of trips to Bridport to go in the water, and we have changed his shoes on him.
“He hoppled up on Monday, and I was happy with him, and he has pulled up well from that, and with that in mind, we are there and are going to give it a shake,” said the trainer.
Colby Sanz is the emergency, but if he fails to gain a start in the cup, he will line up in the Lords Hotel Pace (1955m).
“His runs haven’t been that bad lately. He just hasn’t had a lot of luck. He would have to step really well, and he is capable of doing that, but he wouldn’t want his mind off the job.
Rounding out Rattray’s trio of runners is Karalta Artemis in the Kendalls Hotel Pace (1955m), which will be the pacer’s first standing start try.
“I’m reasonably confident he will step. I didn’t want him on the front row, which sounds silly for Scottsdale, but I reckon it may have been harder for him at his first standing start if he was off the front waiting for the rest to get ready,” the trainer said.
The first race is scheduled for 16:22, with the last at 19:50. It will be followed by live music from Tori Rattray with the locals and visitors expected to party well into the night.
Putting his president hat on, Rattray was expecting the night to be enjoyed by those who attended.
“It should be a good night. The weather looks good, there are plenty of food stalls and the racing looks competitive.
“It’s free entry to everybody, so there is no reason not to go.
“For those that buy a race book, there will be a little present in there for those over 18 to use at the meeting,” Rattray said.
Other attractions include the Country Races-themed Fashions on the field.
