Ross Graham has what appears as an unassailable lead in the race for the $5000 trainer prize through Cranbourne Harness Racing Club’s successful Spring Cash Splash promotion.
The Sutton Grange horseman has collected 58 points across the six Cranbourne meetings through spring, which sees him 31 clear of Alison Alford and a further two ahead of John Justice.
Trainers have been allocated five points for a win, four points for second, three points for third, two points for fourth and one point for fifth at every Cranbourne meeting through the September, October and November series.
The leading Spring Cash Splash trainer takes home $5000, with $2000 for second and $1000 for third.
Graham’s spring at Cranbourne has been a lucrative one, with seven individual winners across the six meetings so far.
The 52-year-old said he was looking forward to “filling up the truck” again this Sunday for the last of the Spring Cash Splash meetings.
“We always try to take horses down there as it’s a fairly comfortable drive for me. It only takes about an hour and 40 minutes,” Graham said.
“If you’re lucky enough to win a race, there’s a $200 incentive for the winning trainer as well.”
CHRC General Manager Cameron Gallagher said an additional $50,000 had been contributed by the club to prizemoney through the spring to help with field sizes and encourage trainers to head to Cranbourne.
“Field sizes for our three September meetings were up 30 per cent on the last three meetings held in August,” Gallagher said.
“Our October meetings did struggle for some reason, but I’m confident with the program we have in place for our last November meeting, contributing an additional $11,500, field sizes will be strong.”
Fields for this Sunday’s final Spring Cash Splash card will be revealed tomorrow.
