THE 32nd NSW Mini Trotting Championships were conducted at Gunning over the Easter long weekend with ponies and competitors coming from all over the state to compete. The ponies were split into three divisions – Midget, Shetland and Ponies with three rounds of heats being conducted in each division to determine the top twelve qualifiers for each category.
In the Midget division competitors attempted to qualify for the inaugural Maureen Mordue Memorial. The race was won by Miracle Mile champion Fireblaze driven by Caitlin McElhinney from the Shoalhaven Club. Early leader Flash driven by Klayton Bigeni from the Penrith/Nepean Club finished second while Sarah Marsh finished third on the Dubbo veteran Aussie Down Under.
The Shetland division was sponsored by HRNSW and Jemma Howard-Coney from the Shoalhaven Club drove an aggressive race on Secret Mission to upset Queensland’s Twebby Twotter driven by Angus Garrard. Brooke Harris was third on Riverina Pocket Watch.
The Pony section received great sponsorship from Garrards Horse and Hound. Dubbo’s Sarah Marsh produced a great front running drive on Miss N Me to defeat Lumberjack Willie and the Riverina’s Darren Moss. The Tamworth trained Mr Fantangle finished third for Rory Brown.
On Sunday the Schumann Transport Anne Marie Hancock event was conducted and again heats were held before determining the finalists.
In the Midget section, the carnival’s smallest pony Little Midget driven by Dylan Smith held off the Riverina trained Will Bill driven by Bailey Harris. Firestorm finished quickly in third for Sam Haslam.
In the Shetland division Hira Lightfoot from the Newcastle/Maitland Club recorded her biggest win on Silver Dreams. Leeton’s Ryan Pitt finished second on Nana Smoke while Madison McNee was third on Playingbytherules.
The Pony division was won by Jimmy Cunningham from the Capital Club and Bob On The Run. Queensland’s Bye Bye Rusty was second with Caitlin McDougall in the sulky while Oprah finished in third spot driven by the Riverina’s Zane Lemon.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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