Canowindra will once again be racing under lights.
Trials commence at 3pm on Saturday April 22 and a new race sulky is on offer for all horses that compete.
These Autumn Harness Trial events have created great interest throughout the town.
An estimated 100 or more horses are expected to compete and unlike race meetings every horse that comes on the day will race.
The hub of the Central West, Canowindra has had some great stock come from it over the years.
The breeding industry in this area has been a major component to the town, with two very viable studs, "Killarney" and "Golden Gait" both having been behind the club for many years.
Their generosity over the years has been monumental and we give thanks to the Honans and Lambs for their continued support.
The first known officially recorded trot meeting held in the town was one conducted by the local show association on September 23, 1914.
The races were Pony Trot Handicaps under 14 hands (etc) over one mile.
A winner won by three lengths in a time of 3 mins 12 secs.
The official opening of the Canowindra Trotting Club's night raceway at the showground was on Friday November 20, 1964.
A well dressed crowd of over 1500 attended.
The Services and Citizens Club sponsored the first trot; this was won by Young Command, in a tight finish with Avian High.
Forty two years on, now April 22, 2006, the Canowindra Services and Citizens Club is still a major part of Canowindra Harness Racing Club sponsoring again with a new Regal Deluxe sulky that they are proudly displaying in the foyer of the club.
Every harness horse that competes on the day will be eligible and will go into the draw for the gig raffle; this will be drawn at the completion of all trial events.
Canowindra had the first all-mobile barrier meeting, the first of its kind in the Western Districts and in NSW on a Saturday night meeting November 19, 1966.
Canowindra Trotting Club then purchased the mobile that was originally from Harold Park.
Canowindra had the only registered operators west of the mountains, serving Dubbo, Peak Hill, Parkes, Cowra, Bathurst and Canowindra for many years until most towns had their own mobile barriers.
The old machine is still going, starting trials at Canowindra every Tuesday night.
John Kerwick reported in the Western Advocate in November 1966 "the brave venture of the Canowindra Trotting Club putting on an all race mobile start program" and then went on to congratulate the club for its success.
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Canowindra was also the first to hold a race with a mobile under lights.
The winner of this race was "Cocky Raider" (Jack McWilliam).
These days mobile starts are common and standing starts are rare.
We have invited many race callers to attend the Autumn Twilight Trials
Attending will be John Kerwick along with Mark McNamara, Bill Palmer, Craig Easey, Stuart Maxwell, Darren Field, Garry Williams and Terry Neil.
All these race callers are well known throughout harness racing.
Mr Neil will interview some of our harness living legends such as AD (Tony) Turnbull (Hondo Grattan), Colin Pike (Paleface Adios) and Kevin Newman (Friendly Footman).
Our own George Carpenter will do the track interviews.
Well known and respected Mr John Tapp has been very supportive of Canowindra, once his place of residence in the early days and his presence on the day with the other race callers will be missed.
Champion Interdominion winners Steve Turnbull and Smooth Satin have been invited.
Mini Trotters from surrounding districts will hold their last race, sponsored by Prime Harness Canowindra, before winter.
It will be a day full of raffles – the gig; one set of harness sponsored by Belubula Butchery and Lucerne Foods Canowindra and one set from the late Doug Middleton's family.
Western Districts Association has also sponsored a rug in memory of Doug.
Hopples and Mitavite products sponsored by Chris Williams Rural Supplies, Inglewood Granite Eugowra, Brian Smith Transport, Smiths Earthmoving, Bryton Wool, R and C Kinsela Farm Supplies, Nangar BP, Barry Gavin, Len Nash, Jim Regan, Wick and Tom Seale, Peter Seale, Peter Bourke Plumbing, Central Motors Canowindra, the Trading Post, Rosella P/L, Canowindra Post Office and Canowindra Produce Co.
Rugs and other horse accessories, horse shoes, drenches, ointments etc sponsored by the Shearing Shed, P and A Dawes, the Bowling Club, Lawrence's IGA, Earsman's Mixed Concrete, Jim Nash Electrical, Dr A Kumar, Shep's Corner Store and free shoeing donated by farrier Malcolm Miller of Canowindra.
Canowindra Golf Club has sponsored the lucky gate prize valued at $500.
The Golf Club was one the first to jump in and support this day and the committee is very grateful for their support.
More entry tickets will be available at the secretary's office, see Karen to better your chance - not a bad pick up for a day out.
There will also be a raffle for a 54cm TV valued at around $400 and sponsored by Canowindra Pharmacy and Canowindra Country Bakehouse; eight 100 clubs with $100 to the winner and a $50 fruit and vegetable basket sponsored by Guihot's Park View Produce and Cabonne Cabs Canowindra.
The memorabilia hall at the top of the grandstand will feature a display of pictures, trophies, rugs, newspaper articles etc from the early days to the present.
There will be a foot gig relay, sponsored by Canowindra Lions Club, with heats and finals run between the harness races.
All nominations will go to the winner and donated to a charity of their choice.
The committee is very grateful to the Lions Club for their support with the gate entry, the gig relay and the jumping castle for the kids.
The Canowindra Harness Racing Club is looking forward to a great day.
The committee and members have put in a lot of hard voluntary work into the preparation of this event.
The day should draw a great crowd and a relaxing evening of harness racing will be witnessed.
A sponsors marquee, BBQ, canteen, bar and music will also be available.
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