The Amanda Turnbull- trained Copper Coast capped off a memorable day for driver Nathan Jack at Charlton on April15th when he took out the feature event the Dja Dja Wurrung Cup.

The four year old’s victory was one of four winners from four drives for Jack.

Allowed to settle quietly toward the rear at the start! Jack allowed Copper Coast to move forwards into the one -one during the mid section of the race. Launched three wide on the final turn Copper Coast rattled home to catch Tallulah Bay by the narrowest of margins.  His time of 1:59.3 for the 2100 m distance was highlighted by a blistering 56 sec last half

Before presenting the Cup new CEO for the Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples’ Corporation, Mr. Rodney Carter, offered a ‘ Welcome  To The Country ‘ in the traditional Aboriginal language to all those present.

He then outlined the history of the Dja Dja Wurrung’s involvement with the Charlton Harness Racing Club which included the granting of permission in 2011 for the club to establish their Harness Training Facility on the outskirts of town.

The day celebrated the fourth year of the Dja Dja Wurrung Raceday  at Charlton , with tribal members travelling across Victoria and from interstate to attend.

Throughout  the day four other races were named in honour of the Dja Dja Wurrung ‘s ancestors and significant spiritual leaders.

The Charlton Harness Racing Club thanks everyone involved on the day and looks forward to continuing it’s association with the Dja Dja Wurrung People into the future.

THE WINNERS

CONGRATULATIONS    – CHARLTON AND COMMUNITY BANK PACING CUP WINNER

BARYNYA – TRAINED BY R.D EAVES DRIVEN BY J.J CALDOW

WELL DONE TASSIE!

CONGRATUALTIONS – NORTH WEST AG TROTTERS CUP WINNER

LORD LIAM – TRAINED BY N.C.MOLANDER DRIVEN BY C.ALFORD

THANKYOU to all of the resilient Charlton locals and visitors to our town who braved the testing elements on Sunday to ‘enjoy’ the running of the 2015 Charlton Cup. It can only be said that it was the most trying of conditions – almost too hot to drink!!! To all the trainers and connections  of horses also a grateful thanks for turning up. With few scratchings it ensured the day produced competitive racing and interest for the punters.

THANKYOU  to our generous major sponsors without whom the day could not happen. Both new on board this year it was great to see representatives from the Charlton and  Community Bank and North West Ag enjoying themselves. We hope it is the first of many occasions that you get to see what is great about harness racing and how it brings our community together in a positive way. Thanks also to the following race sponsors who without we could not strive to improve harness racing events in grassroot areas of central Victoria.

Charlton Chamber Of Commerce

Judd’s House to Home

Cup Day Fanatics

Swift Freight

Bertocchi Smallgoods

Buloke Shire

THANKYOU must also go to the members who showed on Thursday night to help erect the marquees ( only to have them come down again in the storm) so thanks for doing it twice!! Also to Kaylene Cossar who spent many hours cutting and sewing bunting to help spruce up our event – it was a great addition to our complex. We are also very lucky to have Jim and Doug constantly looking after our grounds and having them present so well on our showcase day.

Of course there are many others who helped make the day a success, from local traders who donated many prizes drawn on the day, to bar staff to the girls in the kiosk. Also to Marea who prepared all the flowers for the marquees and ably ran the fashions on the field. Special thanks to Di Cooper who managed to coordinate the competitions and the year 10 students from Charlton College who served with a smile all day in the corporate marquee. You were a credit to the school. gratitude to the Skeeta Grimshaw motorcycle club for he loan of their mist system which possibly saved a few lives!!

It would be remiss not to mention the young locals who were only too pleased to help when asked to man the gates selling racebooks and welcoming guests to our track. Thankyou for being so obliging in the terrible heat – Sabrina Thompson, Georgie McGrath, Trent Cossar and Brodie Watson.

AND FINALLY …Thanks to PRESIDENT  JOHN TORMEY who managed to orchestrate the running of the inaugural ‘Run To The Roses’ which sadly turned into the ‘Scramble To The Rubbish Bins’. The question on everyone’s lips is ‘ In a moment of panic did young Joe McGrath underestimate his pre season and panic – DID HE JUMP THE START????’ Fabulous post race entertainment and hopefully an end to the barrage of banter Cricket Club Hotel patrons have had to endure. But then again the whisper is Joe Thompson has put his hand up for next year…….won’t be much quiet about that!

So here it is in pictures, Charlton Cup 2015. See you all next year.

THE BEFORE

THE HORSES

THE FASHION

THE HEAT

THE PUNTING

THE FUN

THE SUPERSTAR

THE RAIN

THE GREAT RACE – ‘ FANGA FANGA FANGA ‘

The Charlton Harness Racing Club has great pleasure in announcing the winners of the recently run Cup Day Raffle, drawn by driver Grant Campbell at the trots meeting last Thursday.

FIRST PRIZE- FULLY CATERED FOR MARQUEE FOR 8            

– WON BY KAYLENE COSSAR

SECOND PRZE- $50 BETTING VOUCHER

– WON BY BRAD CHESTER

THIRD PRIZE – $25 BETTING VOUCHER

– WON BY NICK HARVEY

WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANKYOU TO ALL THE MEMBERS, VISITORS TO OUR MEETINGS AND CHARLTON RESIDENTS WHO SUPPORTED THIS INITIATIVE AND CONGRATULATE ALL THE WINNERS. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR DAY AT THE CUP.

ALSO A BIG THANKS TO KIM,KATH,DEB,JANICE,KATH AND MICHAEL, KERRIE,JIM AND DI WHO MANNED THE TABLE OUTSIDE TORMEY’S IN HOT WEATHER TO SELL TICKETS.WITHOUT YOU THINGS LIKE THIS DO NOT HAPPEN. THANKYOU.

A reminder to all members that the Cup is fast approaching !

We are now taking bookings for marquees, so if you are thinking of a bit more shade and comfort on the day please consider!

cost $30

To book, call Gary 5439 7401 or 0400 821 850

We hope to see as many members there as possible and remember admission is FREE.

THE CHARLTON TROTTING CLUB WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL MEMBERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT THROUGHOUT 2014. PRESIDENT JOHN TORMEY SECRETARY GARY COOPER AND THE COMMITTEE WISH ALL A HAPPY FESTIVE SEASON AND A SAFE AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. MAY IT HOLD MANY WINNERS FOR US ALL!

Many thanks to all of the members who attended the 2014 Xmas party at the Trotting Club recently. It was fantastic to see so many people there enjoying themselves, especially the new faces who have come on board this year. Unfortunately the weather was unkind…way too hot, but as they say up these parts, good drinking weather, so all was not lost. Thanks to Jim for keeping all well watered.

Congrats to Bernie from the Cricket Club Hotel and life member Isabel Roberts who  took home the cash prizes drawn on the night – great to have the winners in attendance to collect.

Also thanks to President John who orchestrated the cooking for the throngs with his sidekick Doug – no complaints there! Nor with committee members Janice and Di who organised the kitchen. Thanks ladies.

It was a great way to finish the year and we look forward to more social events in the New Year. Merry Christmas to all.

The latestst addition to the Raceday Team here at Charlton ( the car not ‘ Duck ‘ McCallum). We are fortunate to be able to upgrade our track vehicle for the barrier attendants and we are sure that the Nissan Navara will aid in the varied tasks needed at times on race days.

As with all clubs it is an ongoing but necessary battle to keep vehicles and equipment upgraded and safe for all concerned and the purchase of this vehicle helps to ensure this.

As yet unnamed- any suggestions members??????

The CHRC is thrilled to announce new sponsors for our upcoming 2015 Cup Day.

The Charlton  and District Community Bank will have the naming rights to the Pacing Cup and North West Ag the  Trotters Cup.

The club is particularly excited to strengthen ties with local businesses in our community and sees this as a positive way to benefit Charlton. We hope that this is the start of a long and fruitful sponsorship deal with both and we look forward to their participation on Cup Day.

We thank them and warmly welcome them to the club.

We are very pleased to welcome Mark Phayer to the raceday team here at Charlton. Mark has taken his post at the back gate checking in trainers and horses as they arrive. With a long history in customer service and a friendly and popular local we are sure that Mark will be a great asset to the club as the first point of contact with our visitors. Good luck Mark, and no wearing that vest out on the town.

It was great to see the Getley family of Charlton at the trots this week to see the running of two races named in their honour. Alan was the lucky member drawn to name a race. Alan and Bradley are long term local real estate agents here in town at Getley and Sons and Kelvin the brains and patience behind our new club website. We again thank him for all his effort in helping us get established online and for his ongoing help when things just don’t go as planned.

ALAN , BRADLEY, KELVIN AND LORNA

Kelvin was also given the opportunity to ride in the mobile for the last race – a great experience for anyone lucky enough to have had the ‘birds eye’ view. Kelvin concurred saying it was a totally different and exciting perspective to have had.

We hope you all enjoyed your day.