Josh Jenkins will keep the scoreboard ticking over this Trots Country Cups season with the AFL forward to take the reins in the competition that spreads cheer – and cash – throughout country Victoria.
JJ’s Grassroots Goals will see the trots tipster place $500 worth of bets, courtesy of Harness Racing Victoria, on each of the 27 country cups, with the winnings to benefit a local sporting club or community group.
Jenkins said the Grassroots Goals program, initiated last season, was “superb”.
“I can remember having to rummage through the bag of footy helmets and trying to find a decent one when I was playing junior football,” he said. “I can more than relate to all the grassroots sporting clubs and the challenges they have getting equipment.
“There will be a fair bit of pressure on me, especially when I am on track, but it’s all in good spirit and hopefully I can make some money and help the grassroots clubs.”
The campaign to put coin into sporting clubs and community groups coffers begins at Kilmore tomorrow night when Jenkins will tip for the Kilmore Football Club, including tackling the Jet Roofing Kilmore Pacing Cup, which he said billed as “a brilliant race”.
“It’s going to be so competitive,” Jenkins said. “If he was battle hardened, Shadow Sax probably has the class edge, but he’s coming off injury and off the back row gives him a tough task.
“The wildcard and ace in the pack is Buster Brady, but it looks really competitive with Born To Rocknroll the likely leader. It’s going to be really exciting way to start the country cups.”
Jenkins will again be on-course with All-Australian Essendon defender Michael Hurley to take in the Trots Country Cups Championship opener, where they will oversee a footy clinic with Kelly Sports and judge a Pony Trots Footy Parade in addition to speaking engagements.
“It was fantastically run last year,” Jenkins said. “The kids had a blast, we had some fun and took some photos and at this time of the year everyone is talking footy.
“Hopefully we get some good weather, it’s a nice night and we get plenty more kids out there.”
The MC Labour Kilmore Trotters Cup is at 8pm and the Jet Roofing Kilmore Pacing Cup is at 9pm, headlining a 10-race card that kicks off at 6.02pm. For more details click here.
See below JJ’s Grassroots Goals tips for Thursday night:
