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There were plenty of smiles and happy scenes as harness racing’s next generation got back in the sulky after a long COVID-enforced lay-off.
The popular pony trots were back in full swing across the weekend, with youngsters aged between six and 16 donning the silks at Melton and Shepparton.
Lenny Cole and his horse Sharky (pictured) bolted in the first of the races from Tabcorp Park on Saturday night before Cohen Tindale and Buddy Major scored in the second and final event of the evening.
Over at Shepparton during Sunday’s Pacing for Pink card, Ajay Baker and Magpie Fever dominated the opener before Amelia Walliss and pony Lightning Jack took the lead in the closing stages of the second clash to win impressively.
Then came a special adult drivers’ race, which was won by Ellen Tormey and JB Sparkle (pictured), who is raced by youngster Bronte Lee. They held out Nathan Jack and Soul, with Paul Fidge and Lightning Jack third.
The 31-year-old Tormey is a pony trots graduate and now has over 800 career wins to her name in the sulky.
Close to $1000 was collected from the race, which was part of the day’s massive fundraising effort in support of the McGrath Foundation.
Cricket legend and foundation co-founder Glenn McGrath spent many hours on track at Shepparton, chatting with patrons and signing autographs on a special day in the Goulburn Valley.
WATCH THE RACES FROM MELTON AND SHEPPARTON BELOW:
WATCH THE ADULT PONY TROT RACE BELOW:
