The Swan Hill Trotting Club have received final confirmation that the 2021 Swan Hill Pacing Cup will be run on the evening of Friday, October 29th.
The Swan Hill Pacing Cup is a Group 3 event and that race, along with the Swan Hill Mile, will be the marque events on Cup Night.
An increase in prizemoney for this year’s Cup will guarantee a quality field, with the Swan Hill Trotting Club President Gerard Moloney expecting most, if not all of Victoria’s leading stables to be represented not only in the Cup itself, but also in the other races.
“If most trainers are bringing one horse, they will usually bring one, if not two more just to fill the float – that certainly augers well for a very strong nomination and final fields programme,” Moloney was quoted.
The recent Trotters Cup was a huge success and the number of quality Trotters who contested the race further demonstrated just how highly regarded the Swan Hill track is; with the likes of John Justice, Brent Lilley, David Aiken and Sonya Smith all bringing their horses to race at Swan Hill.
The Swan Hill Trotting Club will also be holding a meeting next Monday, October 18th, which will allow the club to hold a number of heats to be contested, with the finals to be added to the Cup night programme.
As an extra incentive, the Swan Hill Trotting Club, along with the Victorian Harness Racing Commission, will be providing bonuses of up to $3000 for every winner – comprising a $1500 cash bonus, $1000 APG Sales voucher and a $500 Sale Sustaining fee.
To qualify for the bonuses, horses must be paid up for the ‘horse membership’ with VHRC for the 2021 season.
The Swan Hill Trotting Club are also hopeful that crowds will be allowed on course by the 29th of October.
“Unfortunately, that is completely out of our hands – we’ll have to be guided by Harness Racing Victoria in that regard,” Moloney was quoted.
Due to Covid restrictions, last year’s Pacing Cup wasn’t held, so the honour of reigning champion still belongs with the Queensland owned and trained Colt Thirty One.
Those who were on course that night will remember the horse fondly, particularly after his owner Kevin Seymour famously shouted the bar following his horses’ victory; a moment the club – and crowd – would love to see once again.
