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View Full Version : Our Ghost Tracks.... Where are they?



Adaptor
02-07-2015, 01:27 PM
This post is inspired by a visit to Gower Park in Preston, a northern suburb of Melbourne.
The remnants of the training and trialling track are still very visible:
track, rails, tie ups , wash and even signs.

The US Trotting Association have featured many of the US tracks of bygone days, including Roosevelt Raceway ( now a shopping centre).

http://xwebapp.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/templates/hoofbeats_blog.aspx?articleid=38050&zoneid=56

Where are ours?
For instance, the wooden posts that held up the outside rail of the straight are still in place at Axedale, now the Axedale Golf Course.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Axedale+VIC+3551/@-36.7939913,144.5005546,615m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad9d84f76cd008d:0x40579 a430a087d0?hl=en

Part of the 1 mile track at Maryborough is still there.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Maryborough+VIC+3465/@-37.0401323,143.7910807,1228m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad0dd8965dfc45f:0x40579 a430a07fb0?hl=en

Where are there others?

Please post them here.


Pictured: Fr Brian Glasheen, at Gower Park on Feb 5, 2015
Brian's father Jack Glasheen was the first president of the Gower Park Light Harness Club. .

Adaptor
02-07-2015, 02:13 PM
Tony, Thanks for taking the mistaken thread down. My enthusiasm far outstrips my technical capabilities.

Messenger
02-07-2015, 04:58 PM
We will take that enthusiasm every day of the week Noel - warts and all :p

gutwagon
02-07-2015, 05:17 PM
I live not too far from the old Gower Park track. I remember seeing horses work there regularly. Sad to see it in it's current state.
Our biggest ghost track would have to be Moonee Valley !

Amlin
02-07-2015, 05:44 PM
There was a track at Warringal Park Heidelburg too though now gone I think but the oval is still there.

Ghost tracks also exist in my area at Traralgon and Bairnsdale as a reminder of how much bigger the sport could have been here!

Messenger
02-07-2015, 06:25 PM
There was a track at Warringal Park Heidelburg too though now gone I think but the oval is still there.

Ghost tracks also exist in my area at Traralgon and Bairnsdale as a reminder of how much bigger the sport could have been here!

The home of the Heidelberg Football Club beaten by the mighty Boro in the GF this year (I could not resist)

Amlin
02-07-2015, 06:29 PM
The home of the Heidelberg Football Club beaten by the mighty Boro in the GF this year (I could not resist)

The track went around the outside of the oval. Gymkhana meets were held there.

Somebody might correct me but would Yarrambat now be considered a ghost track as I believe the Diamond Valley club has folded?

Messenger
02-07-2015, 07:06 PM
I actually lived in Heidelberg for a while Kyle and being a runner who did not mind doing laps I would say I have been around that circuit more than any horse. I have a faint recollection of seeing horses going around the track when I was a schoolboy and definitely remember the sand track around the oval but I think it had disappeared before my DVFL involvement which began in the early 80's (unless that was what they parked the footy cars on - now that is ringing a bell LOL)

Messenger
02-07-2015, 07:19 PM
1947

'Heidelberg Angry On Trotting Trials'

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19470822&id=zAhFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vL0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4778,5041182

Amlin
02-07-2015, 09:00 PM
Bairnsdale Racecourse - home to a half mile track built in the early 80's and used for a couple of picnic meets and not much else!

Amlin
02-07-2015, 09:20 PM
Traralgon Racecourse - like Bairnsdale still used by other racing codes.


A half mile circuit which ran TAB and non-TAB meets from 1975-1995.


This pic taken in June last year - the dogs are rebuilding their track and a grandstand in the middle so this may take over some of the track.


Facilities at Traralgon were probably the best of the smaller clubs with a nice big grandstand and two large lounge areas, plus downstairs bookies ring and bar, and brick stalls blocks (one of the advantages of sharing with the gallops)

John Adams
02-08-2015, 12:21 AM
Trotting in Melbourne has had a few different homes. The first base of the sport was at Elsternwick Park, on the corner of St Kilda Road and Hotham Street. After 10 years the lease was not renewed and the sport in the 1890's appeared at Croxton and Richmond, but was "red hot". In 1906 John Wren took over Richmond, Ascot and Croxton (Fitzroy) and he centered trotting at Richmond where a weekly meeting was held until it closed in 1932. The trots then went to Ascot, opposite the Showgrounds where they were quite popular until it was shut in 1942.

Adaptor
02-08-2015, 01:15 PM
Flemington’s forgotten neighbour: Ascot Racecourse shown in an aerial photo from the WW11 era.

You can see Flemington, the Showgrounds and Ascot...what was the training track in the top left corner?

http://wongm.com/2011/10/ascot-racecourse-ascot-vale-melbourne/

Messenger
02-08-2015, 08:01 PM
Whyalla on Sky2 today has the look of a ghost track.
It is a port town but blind Freddy can tell by the landscape they do not get very much rain
They only have 2 meets for the yr. (Supposed to be SA's 3rd biggest town)

Adaptor
02-08-2015, 10:38 PM
The showgrounds at Horsham...the home of the Wimmera Trotting Club.
They now race on a track inside the gallops track.
I wonder if this is used for training?

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Horsham+VIC+3400/@-36.7213143,142.2060587,615m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ace4535fb847865:0x50579 a430a0d530?hl=en

Njcstables
02-09-2015, 12:46 AM
I remember winning a race as a junior on the old Elmore track. Is it still in use anyone?

Messenger
02-09-2015, 02:14 AM
The showgrounds at Horsham...the home of the Wimmera Trotting Club.
They now race on a track inside the gallops track.
I wonder if this is used for training?

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Horsham+VIC+3400/@-36.7213143,142.2060587,615m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ace4535fb847865:0x50579 a430a0d530?hl=en

I remember reading in the recent history of Horsham Trotting by John Peck that the Showgrounds/Agricultural Society had a pretty chequered history with the Trotting club
I recently read in the local paper that that Dog track has received good $ for development.
The good new track being so close to the old track it is probably unlikely that anyone uses it
I intend to go to the Field Days there in about a month's time so I will have to check it out Noel
I lived in the town for 1yr in the 70's and went to every sporting event going and yet I have no vivid memory of the trots (I must have been drinking too much as a young fella - I was living in the pub!)

arlington
02-09-2015, 07:02 AM
I remember winning a race as a junior on the old Elmore track. Is it still in use anyone?

Was that pre or post Tanabi Bromac's Vic Derby win (2008) Nathan :) Pretty sure Keith was at Elmore then.
Still very much used as a training track, pretty sure they still run quali trials.

arlington
02-09-2015, 07:32 AM
Flemington’s forgotten neighbour: Ascot Racecourse shown in an aerial photo from the WW11 era.

You can see Flemington, the Showgrounds and Ascot...what was the training track in the top left corner?

http://wongm.com/2011/10/ascot-racecourse-ascot-vale-melbourne/


I think that might be what was known as the Maribyrnong track Noel. Wasn't far from the Ordinance factory and what's now Highpoint Shopping Centre from memory. Don't know much about it's history, stumbled across it early - mid eighties driving by. Was still in use, going by the hooves/shoes and sulky wheel marks.
Only my thoughts at the time, even though the Showgrounds were still used for training for a time after shifting to the Valley, maybe the trainers along the Maribyrnong River used this track. Pretty sure Phonse Hickey, for one, was located there and also a lady, Mrs Parker, who made a lot of the trainer's/driver's colours.

barney
02-09-2015, 10:55 AM
Was that pre or post Tanabi Bromac's Vic Derby win (2008) Nathan :) Pretty sure Keith was at Elmore then.
Still very much used as a training track, pretty sure they still run quali trials.
They used to run restricted meeting there a long wjile ago.Also had a few trainers there Cliff Powell Max Wishart Gavin Holmes John Cakebread and Faye Mcewan to name a few i remember

arlington
02-09-2015, 11:26 AM
They used to run restricted meeting there a long wjile ago.Also had a few trainers there Cliff Powell Max Wishart Gavin Holmes John Cakebread and Faye Mcewan to name a few i remember


Wasn't that long ago barney 'laughs'. I've been to a couple of Elmore Cups@Elmore. And adding to your list, obviously Keith Cotchin, Neville Welsh and fairly sure Chris Hildebrandt use/d the track. Some great trainers.

barney
02-09-2015, 12:57 PM
Wasn't that long ago barney 'laughs'. I've been to a couple of Elmore Cups@Elmore. And adding to your list, obviously Keith Cotchin, Neville Welsh and fairly sure Chris Hildebrandt use/d the track. Some great trainers.
Forgot about Chris his mother worked on telephone exchange that is how long ago im talking.Nevile welsh came later as did Cotchin dont think Max Wishart still has horses was a good driver in his own right

arlington
02-09-2015, 01:14 PM
Forgot about Chris his mother worked on telephone exchange that is how long ago im talking.Nevile welsh came later as did Cotchin dont think Max Wishart still has horses was a good driver in his own right


Definitely no party lines when I last went.

G-Mac
02-09-2015, 02:06 PM
Wyong. Still there inside the gallops track but not used for anything as far as I know.
Also the reason for the seemingly random grand stand at the top of the home straight.

My attempt at attaching the google link failed.

Adaptor
02-09-2015, 06:05 PM
Glen
I hope you don't mind but I've added the Google Maps link to the ghost trotting track inside the gallops track at Wyong.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Wyong+NSW/@-33.281089,151.4301886,1283m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6b72cfdae527524d:0x5017d 681632e010?hl=en

Njcstables
02-10-2015, 10:09 AM
Was that pre or post Tanabi Bromac's Vic Derby win (2008) Nathan :) Pretty sure Keith was at Elmore then.
Still very much used as a training track, pretty sure they still run quali trials.

That would have been mid to late nineties Wayne. At the time their was a heap of trainers at Elmore, and a huge at the races that day too.

Adaptor
02-10-2015, 10:50 AM
It's Hunter Park at Elmore...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Elmore+VIC+3558/@-36.4912502,144.6032397,616m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad9b9a5ccfe4f45:0x40579 a430a08d20?hl=en
named after the Hunters Robert and son Alex ( AG Hunter) who lived at Burnewang Park, Hunter ( good to have a township named after yourself)
Hunter is about 8ks towards Raywood from Elmore. Globe Derby was there at some point in the 1920's in the 60 horse , two story brick stables that are still on the property.
Check out Hunter on Googlemaps and you can see the house and stables at the end of a very long tree-lined driveway.

Globe Derby won a pacing race at The Bendigo Jockey Club track at Epsom as a 13yo, driven by Billy Tompkinson from Rochester, later to become leading trainer in New Zealand.

arlington
02-10-2015, 11:30 AM
That would have been mid to late nineties Wayne. At the time their was a heap of trainers at Elmore, and a huge at the races that day too.

Was only thinking the other day, the last Elmore meeting I went to was a huge crowd...even had to queue up for the scones Kev!
A trip down memory lane Nathan lol. Had been searching for my first winner but records don't go back that far...digital records that is! Was actually at Traralgon, a Sat arvo meeting, Hunter Cup day.... a mare from a stand :o

Messenger
02-10-2015, 12:46 PM
Was only thinking the other day, the last Elmore meeting I went to was a huge crowd...even had to queue up for the scones Kev!
A trip down memory lane Nathan lol. Had been searching for my first winner but records don't go back that far...digital records that is! Was actually at Traralgon, a Sat arvo meeting, Hunter Cup day.... a mare from a stand :o

A franchise coming soon to a track near you!

bowie
02-10-2015, 03:38 PM
Having attended the Macau selling trials back in Bendigo years ago. l was a passenger of 2 famous harness racers Mr Ian McCallum and one Ted Glasheen Yes of Father Brian's brother well Ted pointed out to us that the long row of gum trees which ran along the fenceline of the Inglewood Golf Course (closest to town end of the course) was the only surviving remmants of the Inglewood Trotting club Ted also mentioned that it was one the places he had a lot of success in the very earlier days.
But also hanging around with Mr Maca l can remember racing at Minyip,Wentworth,and of course our other tracks that were closed Wedderburn,Boort, Ouyen St Arnuad,Birchip Donald,Robinvale the old Horsham track which was located on the river & our latest o closure would be the Nyah track outside of Swanhill. they were all famous clubs in there own right like l think Wedderburn was the oldest club in Victoria or it may have been Boort it was one or the other.

djgood
02-10-2015, 04:36 PM
Glen
I hope you don't mind but I've added the Google Maps link to the ghost trotting track inside the gallops track at Wyong.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Wyong+NSW/@-33.281089,151.4301886,1283m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6b72cfdae527524d:0x5017d 681632e010?hl=en

The gallopers use it now as a warm at track before cantering , all the track dressing was removed and taken to Morisset show ground to fix it up as a training track for locals I believe they got a 10k grant from hrnsw to do it

G-Mac
02-10-2015, 11:23 PM
Glen
I hope you don't mind but I've added the Google Maps link to the ghost trotting track inside the gallops track at Wyong.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Wyong+NSW/@-33.281089,151.4301886,1283m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6b72cfdae527524d:0x5017d 681632e010?hl=en

Thanks Noel

Amlin
02-10-2015, 11:23 PM
A track at Maribyrnong was closed early 2000s and the shopping centre extended over it, or maybe a pool.

Nearby was another track - Steadmans Park? which became part of a golf course. Mrs Parker made colours for years and her husband Stan was a famous horseman.

Amlin
02-10-2015, 11:25 PM
Finley in NSW came and went fairly quickly in the late 70s early 80s. Am sure some of our readers would remember it.

Adaptor
02-10-2015, 11:41 PM
The pacers and trotters raced at Camperdown in the Western District of Victoria
From the Camperdown Chronicle of 18 March 1920

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/34474373

Adaptor
02-11-2015, 08:45 PM
Marong ( Vic)
about 15 km from Bendigo on the alternate Calder Highway had a raceourse for gallops, ponies and harness racing. These were usually on the same program. The Marong Cup for gallopers has been run at the Bendigo Jockey Club for a long time. The trotting track here is the Marong trialling track built in the 1960s.
The outline of the original racetrack can be seen to the left of the B in the Bullock Creek label.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Marong+VIC+3515/@-36.7382561,144.1342154,616m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad7530e695b6a7f:0x40579 a430a09310?hl=en
Adelaide Direct, winner of the 1917 New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington had her first start here. Also her last start before being taken to New Zealand where she raced for 3 years.
Then she came home to Baringhup, west of Marong, near Maldon.

Adelaide Direct ( Directway- Honest Harry mare) 1917 New Zealand Trotting Cup, Addington, driven by Manny Edwards

Adaptor
02-11-2015, 09:25 PM
Eljaykay Phoenix $177,992 from 10 out of 12 comes from Finley ( but trained by David Aitken )
Same for Hadrians Phoenix

There is a track, but obviously the club has faded.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Finley+NSW+2713/@-35.6537059,145.5677551,582m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6adf5e339cd1af91:0x40609 b49043cae0?hl=en

barney
02-12-2015, 12:31 PM
Do they still run trials at Marong remeber didn't need licensce to drive in the trials there they used to have trials every 2nd sunday

aussiebreno
02-12-2015, 01:07 PM
Eljaykay Phoenix $177,992 from 10 out of 12 comes from Finley ( but trained by David Aitken )
Same for Hadrians Phoenix

There is a track, but obviously the club has faded.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Finley+NSW+2713/@-35.6537059,145.5677551,582m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6adf5e339cd1af91:0x40609 b49043cae0?hl=en

Oppoosing side of the Riverina was Weethalle and Barmedman

Barmedman

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.1446317,147.3665237,465m/data=!3m1!1e3

waggamick
02-12-2015, 06:17 PM
Saw Lucky Creed win the Carousel (or a heat..not sure) at Parramatta Trots which I'm pretty sure is under Westmead Hospital now.
Also used to go the Richmond (NSW) Grass Track for trotters.

Beltane
02-12-2015, 10:22 PM
The Parramatta Trots would have more likely to been held at the old Granville Showground, which is now used as the site of the Sydney Speedway.

The site on which the Westmead Hospital was built on, used to be the old Westmead Speedway, which stopped racing around 1968.

Race For Fun
02-13-2015, 12:25 PM
I thought that they resumed the Parramatta showground for the hospital at Westmead.
Found this photo in the "Remember When" thread post 73.
Where is Trish? I think she could answer this one.

http://www.harnessracingforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=308&d=1413103878

Messenger
02-13-2015, 02:39 PM
We are missing Trish, wishing you good health Trish

Beltane
02-13-2015, 03:14 PM
My apologies for the wrong call. I had no idea that the track at Westmead was used for harness racing after the demise of the winter speedway there.

The old Westmead track was around 800 yards in length and as at the late 1960s had no lights and basic facilities.

Race For Fun
02-13-2015, 04:37 PM
My apologies for the wrong call. I had no idea that the track at Westmead was used for harness racing after the demise of the winter speedway there.

The old Westmead track was around 800 yards in length and as at the late 1960s had no lights and basic facilities.

No apologies needed Steve. The years catch us out at times. :D:D:D

Adaptor
02-13-2015, 08:46 PM
Looks like Colac (Vic) were racing in 1949 at the Colac Showgrounds
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Bruce+St,+Colac+VIC+3250/@-38.3349672,143.6028751,561m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad30f21459ed8df:0x1 d326e4151784ca8?hl=en

The stewards got a rap over the knuckles.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19490604&id=5sJVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wb0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6013,5684087

Bill Shinn drove Black Betel to an Australian mile record in 1931 on the Colac Showgrounds track
http://www.harness.org.au/hra/annual/public/records/aus_mileallp.htm

lasse
02-14-2015, 12:52 AM
Saw Roseland Count win The Carousel final at Parramatta in 1973 driven by Eddie Sims.Granville Showgrounds were taken over by the Speedway although we tried sharing it as a training track for quite a few years.The running rail had to be taken down for the speedway and then put back for the horses to train through the week.That was never going to work!Still managed to train my first H.P.winner from Granville.Roseland Count pulled off one of the biggest plunges in S.A. when Eddie snuck him over there under Tom Mahar's name.Backed in 8's to evens.

Adaptor
02-15-2015, 02:01 PM
Leongatha in Gippsland raced at the Leongatha Showgrounds
https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B028'09.3%22S+145%C2%B056'54.5%22E/@-38.469357,145.948105,300m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en-US

The St Patricks meeting on April 23, 1949 featured 6 races each with a purse of 35 pounds , with Ben Coram Snr (of Dan's Son and Miraculous fame) winning two with Clever June and Clever Jim.
The last race was the Farewell Handicap. Was that the last race ever at Leongatha?

Amlin
02-15-2015, 10:18 PM
Looking closer at the Leongatha pic - excuse the red marks but I put them there to show where you can still faintly see the track. Around 15 years ago a strategic plan for the reserve suggested "removal of the trotting track" to aid with improving the surface quality and drainage of the oval/arena.


The heritage listed stand was built in around 1922 so obviously would have been used for the trots.


Leongatha were allocated meets during the 1950/1951 season but unsure without checking my books if they ran them. They seemed to have fizzled out somewhere around here after only a couple of seasons, maybe the club ran out of funds.

Nearby Korumburra held gymkhana's on a track around their Showgrounds and had their own Light Harness Club in the early 1970's. The odd hobby trainer still operated over their up until probably 10 years ago. Perhaps one of the best known trotting horsemen from the region was Wonthaggi based Maurie Hill, who later switched to racehorses and had the top jumper Venite.

The Leongatha track was smaller than the Melbourne Showgrounds at only 2 furlongs 127 and a bit yards. The oval now has very good quality lights on it for night footy - pity the track did not remain in full form as it could have been reused possibly.

I am planning to head across to their Historical Society/Museum to see what they might have on file.

I notice in 1949 a local horseman was given life by the TCB for his behaviour at a Leongatha race meeting. He could not give stewards a satisfactory explanation for his "condition" at the meeting. The great George Gath also drove at Leongatha.

Amlin
02-15-2015, 11:07 PM
Bega is another venue in Southern NSW where trots were held at the Showgrounds until the early 1970's. They successfully ran exhibition races on the 400 metre track at the Bega Show there a couple of years ago and are seeking entries for races at the Bega Show this weekend.


Pictures show the track in 1966 and the most recent "show trots"

Messenger
02-16-2015, 02:26 AM
Great picture comparison Kyle. Does that pavilion still exist?

Adaptor
02-16-2015, 08:35 PM
The Leongatha Showgrounds grandstand is of local historic and aesthetic significance to South Gippsland Shire.

Historically, it is the oldest extant grandstand in the Shire and demonstrates the importance of the showgrounds to the local agricultural and sporting community. (AHC criteria - A.4 and D.2)

Aesthetically, the grandstand enhances the appearance of the Leongatha Showgrounds and Recreation reserve. It is also of interest as an example of the work of locally important architect, T.E. Molloy. (AHC criterion - E.1)

Technically, it is of interest as one of the first and most substantial buildings in the Shire to be constructed from locally made bricks manufactured at Koonwarra.

Messenger
02-16-2015, 08:37 PM
Thanks Noel and another great pic

G-Mac
02-17-2015, 06:07 PM
Really enjoying this thread. Nice work folks.

Adaptor
02-17-2015, 09:56 PM
This is really good fun. Let's try Kerang.
There were quite a lot of good horses come from around Kerang in Vic: The Pays ( Skulduggery) , Robinsons (Bold Apepa Smart Lulu and Chapel Elect), Marshalls and Coulters (Janes Choice).
Quambatook ( New Derby and New Oro) and Pyramid Hill (Bendigold and Moonies Strike) aren't far away.
There were trials at the Kerang trotting track ( inside the racecourse ) and they raced there as well.. not sure of last race meeting.

Here's the trotting track inside the galloping track.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Kerang+VIC+3579/@-35.7333618,143.930228,1245m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6adbdc8caaff5acd:0x40579 a430a09010?hl=en

barney
02-17-2015, 10:12 PM
This is really good fun. Let's try Kerang.
There were quite a lot of good horses come from around Kerang in Vic: The Pays ( Skulduggery) , Robinsons (Bold Apepa and Chapel Elect), Marshalls and Coulters (Janes Choice).
Quambatook ( New Derby and New Oro) and Pyramid Hill (Bendigold and Moonies Strike) aren't far away.
There were trials at the Kerang trotting track ( inside the racecourse ) and they raced there as well.. not sure of last race meeting.

Here's the trotting track inside the galloping track.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Kerang+VIC+3579/@-35.7333618,143.930228,1245m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6adbdc8caaff5acd:0x40579 a430a09010?hl=en

K preston traied at Kerang i remember may have moved to Adelaide after that

Amlin
02-17-2015, 10:51 PM
Only a small track at Kerang - another one that started up in the early 50s perhaps. I have called gallops there and took some photos but cannot find them. At that time (2008) the track had pegs installed.


According to Harnesslink last official trials were run there in 2003 - perhaps club trials have been held since then. I recall typing their trials results at Harness Racing Weekly around this time!


I was amazed how many pubs there are in Kerang too by the way...

HISGEN65
02-18-2015, 12:44 PM
i took this video of ROCKLEA's last race meeting in 2009 if anyone's interested

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2XyBOIsxTE

Adaptor
02-18-2015, 02:35 PM
James ,
That's a good one. Looks like Rocklea was a very small track. What was the circumference?

What has been done with the site?

HISGEN65
02-18-2015, 03:38 PM
many many great days at ROCKLEA ...the place was always packed & had quite a few bookies there..everyone would go there to enjoy a great days racing & bet on the gallops with the bookies.Sad thing is it still sitting there as it was back in 2009..it was 545m & raced 52 weeks of the year..& introduced a staggering amount of people into the sport

Adaptor
02-18-2015, 03:40 PM
They raced at Woodend.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Woodend+VIC+3442/@-37.3520395,144.5221196,618m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad71cffab2fc9bf:0x50579 a430a0d220?hl=en
The remnants can be seen here of both the gallop and trotting tracks.. The Woodend Cup (gallops) has been held at Kyneton for some years.

One of the Abraham brothers, either Harry or Frank of Meadowbrook Stud fame (Gyro, Convivial etc) was President of the Woodend Trotting Club.

Here are 2 races ( from the results compiled by John Peck) with one time leading Australian sire Noble Scott winning at 2 consecutive meetings

WOODEND TC 31-12-1945
DISTANCE (2:23) – 45 pounds – One & quarter miles
H & F Abrahams bh NOBLE SCOTT, scr (R Males) 1
Jim Dalla, scr 2
Royal Clay, scr 3
Others: Great Dalla (scr), Flower Derby (scr), Bonnie Pedro (scr), Lucky Man (scr), Sir Dalla (36yds), Admiral Wilkes (60yds)
Margins: 2yds X 10yds Time: 2m 52 1/4s

WOODEND TC 01-01-1946
DISTANCE (2:27) – 45 pounds – One & half miles
H & F Abrahams bh NOBLE SCOTT, scr (R Males) 1
Great Dalla, scr 2
Native McGregor, scr 3
Others: Billy Ruhon (scr), Bonnie pedro (scr), Royal Clay (scr), Lucky Man (scr), High Lawn (scr), Northern Miss (scr), Sir Dalla (12yds), Dons Joy (12yds), Senor Wilbur (24yds), Admiral Wilkes (36yds)
Margins: 2yds X 8yds Time: 3m 40 1/2s

barney
02-18-2015, 06:19 PM
Names from the past Great Dalla was Clarrie Long a great guy who loved to help young people get into sport Ken Pococks father in law

Toohard
02-18-2015, 06:52 PM
One of the Abraham brothers, either Harry or Frank of Meadowbrook Stud fame (Gyro, Convivial etc) was President of the Woodend Trotting Club.


Pretty sure the house can you see from the main road is one of the original houses. But the property mostly subdivided. Right on the edge of Riddells Creek township now. Few roads there named after the horses. Gyro Close, Argent (Gyros mum I think) Close and also Meadowbrook Way.

Amlin
02-18-2015, 11:28 PM
Woodend served as an important venue for trotting during WWII - before the government took control of the sport Woodend was one of the few trotting tracks in Victoria to operate.


Trotting ceased there I believe in the early 1950s according to this article from The Argus from '52.


Gallops racing wound up there in 1982.

Amlin
02-18-2015, 11:39 PM
Another track that was among the pioneers in Victoria but is no longer - Healesville


The overhead shot appears to show an outline of a track - but I would have thought if the old track there was a half mile or so it would have been bigger, as the gallops track is only around 1400 metres in circumference.


Opened in 1948 and closed in 1972 and moved to nearby Yarra Glen. Birthplace of the famous "Melbourne Cup Day trots".

Messenger
02-19-2015, 12:27 AM
That would have to be something else Kyle. I once had the chance/wanted to buy a 7 acre triangle that finished roughly where the C726 is on the map.
I cannot get over how good the willow plantation looks - I was always told they were to be future cricket bats

hillbillydeluxe
02-19-2015, 01:06 AM
For those on or near the Central Coast of NSW may recall the Gosford Trotting track which was used in the 90's as a training track for a few locals, not sure whatever happened to it.

Amlin
02-19-2015, 11:51 AM
Gosford raced on a track around the outside of the dog track. When the dog track was rebuilt and converted to sand it was enlarged and took over the trotting track. Perhaps 15 years ago?

djgood
02-19-2015, 03:17 PM
Gosford raced on a track around the outside of the dog track. When the dog track was rebuilt and converted to sand it was enlarged and took over the trotting track. Perhaps 15 years ago?

22-25 years ago shut down just as I got my licence the speedway took over first then the greyhounds took over the lot and built the new track

Amlin
02-19-2015, 03:56 PM
A recent photo of the Gosford facility. The harness track would not have been very big by the looks

Amlin
02-19-2015, 04:00 PM
This old photo of the Gosford track shows it may have been bigger than I imagined.

djgood
02-19-2015, 04:02 PM
This old photo of the Gosford track shows it may have been bigger than I imagined.

525 metres around if i remember correct

Amlin
02-19-2015, 04:07 PM
Bulli - NSW. They now race at Menangle. The track at Bulli was narrow and small and many a horse came a cropper on that home turn as this YouTube clip shows.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iCyE_6KnhY


Also here is a link to a local newspaper story when they club decided to shift away from their home venue.


http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1140028/end-of-an-era-no-more-trots-at-bulli/

Adaptor
02-19-2015, 04:23 PM
That's some video! It certainly was a tight track. The running rail was a real hazard...with no-where to go.
I imagine that Ray Wisby and Kevin Robertson would have dominated here.

Danno
02-19-2015, 05:00 PM
bit bigger than that Dave, Newcastle was 550 metres and Maitland 603metres and both were smaller than Gosford, I think it was not much under 700...658 rings a bell.

Richard prior
02-19-2015, 05:48 PM
Did you drive on these tracks as a young fella Dan??

djgood
02-19-2015, 09:13 PM
bit bigger than that Dave, Newcastle was 550 metres and Maitland 603metres and both were smaller than Gosford, I think it was not much under 700...658 rings a bell.

Yeah sounds better I watched a video of one of dads wins there today 2600 or 2700 start in back straight and 4 laps can't get exact distance as old fuzzy video but it was great listening to Ray conroy call the race
There was rumours just before it shut down of building a chute for mobilise starts and widening the track but the Showgrounds trust wouldn' allow

Race For Fun
02-19-2015, 11:48 PM
Gosford had mobile races during the 1960 from memory (may have had them later than that but memory is dim). The arms of the mobile almost hit the light towers on the outside of the track as the track was not wide enough. This was what finished mobile races at the track

Dates may not be exact, please don't hold me to them.

halfyourluck
02-20-2015, 02:00 PM
Harking back to the Leongatha track, in my time in the late 60's early seventies, it's main use was for the cyclists races. There wasn't a lot of depth in the cyclists ranks and the leading exponents would start off Walla Walla type handicaps. I well remember having to wait for the field to pass before retrieving the ball when the opposition hit one for four. One of the areas greatest batsman Ken Boromeo later trained and drove quite a few winners, but I don't know if the used the Leongatha track

Danno
02-20-2015, 03:12 PM
Did you drive on these tracks as a young fella Dan??

Yes Rich, they were very small tracks by todays standards but we were still racing at the shows on tracks around footy fields and approximatley 400 metres circumference, mind you we weren't runiing 2.00 miles, we were running 2.18 on the show tracks...it just felt like you were low flying.

The smallest track I drove at registered meetings was Tamworth, it was 500 YARDS around, ( approx 450 metres) and had a massive downhill around the turn out of the home straight, the drop was something like 17 feet, the track today has a gigantic concrete retaining wall in that area allowing the track to be much more level, but man that drop on the turn years ago used to bring a lot of people and horses undone!

Adaptor
02-20-2015, 03:55 PM
Not much bigger than a Roman coliseum..The Wayville Showgrounds.

How did they race top class horses around here?

Amlin
02-20-2015, 11:41 PM
Two more for the list.


Shepparton raced at the showgrounds for some years before they purchased their land at Kialla. The trotting track became a very big greyhound track before it too moved out of town to Kialla over a decade ago.


Up north in QLD, one of many tracks to have closed was Ipswich. A tiny track around the showgrounds there is now home to a very busy dog racing facility.

barney
02-21-2015, 10:58 AM
Two more for the list.


Shepparton raced at the showgrounds for some years before they purchased their land at Kialla. The trotting track became a very big greyhound track before it too moved out of town to Kialla over a decade ago.




Up north in QLD, one of many tracks to have closed was Ipswich. A tiny track around the showgrounds there is now home to a very busy dog racing facility.

Was thinking of Shepparton small track at showgrounds also in Qld Maryborough can see it from Bruce higway gets used for equestian events now.

djgood
02-21-2015, 03:21 PM
Hawksbury used to race till mid 80's,inside the gallop track right handed

Adaptor
02-22-2015, 08:16 PM
Looks like the remnants of the trotting track inside the gallops track are still visible..just .

Adaptor
02-22-2015, 08:17 PM
Looks like the remnants of the trotting track inside the gallops track are still visible..just .

Amlin
02-23-2015, 12:01 PM
Not specifically a ghost track - but for a 10-year period from the early 1970's this patch of land was a huge talking point in Victorian trotting.


And it still sits idle - but surrounded by thousands of residences, businesses etc.

arlington
02-23-2015, 12:37 PM
Keysborough Kyle?

Amlin
02-23-2015, 12:43 PM
Yes

arlington
02-23-2015, 01:02 PM
A lot of questions there. Was the ultimate answer rain belt?

Amlin
02-23-2015, 02:04 PM
I think possibly the board of the time could not comprehend the possibility of such a facility being located on "that" side of town.

Too much individual influence rather than the overall good of the industry as to whether Keysborough (or Keilor) could have set the sport up Melton style decades earlier.

At least it would have been paid off by now. And they lost money on the sale of the land anyway!

Amlin
02-23-2015, 11:01 PM
The Bega track in southern NSW came alive last Saturday night with Show trotting on the 400 metre main arena.


Here is a video the Bega Show crew took of the night


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6ubrOkJqV4

Adaptor
02-26-2015, 02:33 PM
Is the Grandstand now at the Junction Oval at St Kilda ?

Although the racecourse at Elsternwick Park did not survive for long, it did hold a unique place in Melbourne’s sporting history as Victoria’s first track dedicated to trotting.

The Australian Trotting Association (later changed to the Victorian Trotting Club) applied in 1881 to Brighton Council for the use of the land at Elsternwick Park, then largely swampland and with little resemblance to the well-preened parklands of today.

The Association was in something of a race with the Australian Trotting Club to establish the first track for trotting, the latter having purchased land in Northcote, the latter’s aims target scuttled when the Railways Department compulsorily acquire their land for part of a planned (but never built) line from Spencer Street to Heidelberg.

The application for the land was initially refused by the Council as they did not believe they had the authority, but later granted after the intervention of the Minister for Lands.

This is believed to have been the first more-or-less permanent trotting track in Australia, but squabbles over the rights and wrong of the park being used in part for racing continued for another decade, the Trotting Club being later denied use of the track.

The matter was finally put to the vote of Brighton ratepayers in September, 1893, the usually conservative district voting nearly four to one in favour of parts of the Park being leased as a racecourse.

After the meetings were abandoned, the Elsternwick Park grandstand was taken down and re-erected at the St. Kilda Cricket Ground (Junction Oval).

Just where in today’s complex the racecourse was situated is uncertain - the cricket ground in the northern section was in use at the time and the likelihood is that the track was the site of today’s golf links.

John Adams
02-28-2015, 02:07 AM
The first meeting, then known as American trotting was held at Flemington in the early 1860's. Trotting then started at Bocasio Park in Brighton then moved to Elsternwick Park, though there never more than two trots on a programme that included hurdle races, steeplechases and flat races. Trotting events were run at Kensington, the first track owned by the Cox family before they moved to Moonee Valley, and later a short stint at Maribyrnong.

Danno
02-28-2015, 02:19 AM
The Bega track in southern NSW came alive last Saturday night with Show trotting on the 400 metre main arena.


Here is a video the Bega Show crew took of the night


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6ubrOkJqV4

Thanks Kyle,

not sure how I haven't seen this until now but that clip from the show race is bloody GOLD mate, 4 laps to the mile...brought back lots of fun memories, this silly game we play is more than fast mile rates on fast tracks, its about people and their horses having fun.. and that clip sure reminded me what this game is really about,

thanks again,
Dan

Amlin
03-09-2015, 05:01 PM
Speaking of ghost tracks, the biggest of all in Victoria, and perhaps it's biggest moment - which occurred 30 years ago today.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TNmWtXVr30

Adaptor
03-09-2015, 05:07 PM
It's amazing....just to see how many were there, and compare it to Melton on Saturday night.
Great run in the race from Game Oro !

Adaptor
03-09-2015, 05:13 PM
Richmond, just a short distance from the CBD in Melbourne was the home of trotting early in the 1900s.
Tram to the gate, or walk from the neighborhood.
And the crowd came...

Adaptor
03-20-2015, 06:39 PM
One of the three Ballarat (Vic) tracks ..Miners Racecourse first raced in 1861

Dummy ( Grattan Bells from Florrie C) one of three Bendigo Cup winners in 1924 wins under saddle ridden by Bill Forthington from Horsham, at the Ballarat Miners racecourse.

Amlin
03-20-2015, 11:43 PM
In the Richmond photo you can see the piano factory in the background which became the soup factory, followed by the television factory, as GTV9. So audiences gathered for one form of entertainment or another in that area for decades!

Adaptor
03-26-2015, 10:10 PM
Inglewood, Victoria
One & quarter miles
Opened early 1870's. Trotting Club operated from 1922 to 1929
Approximately where the current golf course is situated.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Inglewood+VIC+3517/@-36.5794105,143.8788959,576m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad0a70351f65905:0x40579 a430a08f10?hl=en

Inglewood is the current home to former Showgrounds regulars Kevin Innes and Bob Birthisel.
Last abode of the late Charlton champ Ian McCallum.



The fields for Inglewood April 14, 1923
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/1888870?searchTerm=inglewood%20trotting&searchLimits=
With Land Star, winner of 5 races at Richmond ( Melbourrne) off 195 yards behind !

Amlin
05-20-2015, 02:30 PM
The former Woodend Racecourse in central Victoria. I was in town there on Monday so went by and took some pictures. The facility is now a Recreation Reserve with several different users including the Pony Club who look as though they operate from what is left of the course.


As well as the grandstand and some out buildings a Stewards tower and swab box still exist. Apparently across the back there is a walking track along the old back straight.


https://scontent-hkg3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11151073_10152850942437742_314486977433364472_n.jp g?oh=8e2ba09af28e260fdcbc0edb85e51e88&oe=560C5C46
https://scontent-hkg3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11113115_10152850942717742_6168245305259723277_n.j pg?oh=c2bba933085cfc4bea5855ed3501377d&oe=55C997E1
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11046270_10152850943962742_6234940304490354874_n.j pg?oh=a3664149b3124f358fabf830f91ea435&oe=55C7A6FC&__gda__=1443133429_21469aac09806a5090354ac12545462 9
https://scontent-hkg3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11261714_10152850944212742_7717231468742541415_n.j pg?oh=622b3068b6cc8c60aa1a9b2368040217&oe=55C3FA4E
https://scontent-hkg3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/11244901_10152850944392742_2726941008633981075_n.j pg?oh=a17a737fcca4c31168bf0446a33869fa&oe=5606375Ehttps://scontent-hkg3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10409293_10152850944537742_3039745087276441722_n.j pg?oh=37c1f0de7f685ad525746c54cb0949c7&oe=560082F9
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10410094_10152850949857742_4945921601436275786_n.j pg?oh=ccc5866d234b6544d5a284f1a991ec89&oe=55FC6EA1&__gda__=1442691916_874a6739712468a8a6320683ee00137 a
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11253222_10152850952362742_8119039748793666191_n.j pg?oh=72f848da25a5fcd8d3c5cbfe4e9acbb7&oe=55C801C1&__gda__=1438794900_e2ea6c91de261870175d63e7856b27d d

Messenger
05-20-2015, 06:05 PM
Good stuff Kyle. No oval? Would have thought an undercover stand like that would have some appeal to a footy team. Maybe Woodend has a swisho footy club or the pony club beat them to it

Amlin
05-20-2015, 11:45 PM
The footy oval I think is further down (built over what might have been the home turn). An indoor pavilion (basketball?) is also built "over" the track

Adaptor
05-21-2015, 12:24 PM
Kyle and Kevin
Here's the Woodend complex via Google Earth;

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Woodend+VIC+3442/@-37.3521752,144.5204975,574m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad71cffab2fc9bf:0x50579 a430a0d220?hl=en

Messenger
05-21-2015, 10:03 PM
A great view, thanks Noel

Adaptor
05-28-2015, 03:50 PM
Here's an intersting Ghost Trotting Track...the WACA.

Three months after signing a lease agreement the WATA began racing on the WACA Ground track,
on 28th June 1913 in front of a crowd of 1200 people who put 300 pounds through the on-course
totalisator. The Association's timekeepers D C Braham and W McNamara had the idea of trotting underlights to avoid clashes with gallop' meetings.

On 2nd January 1914 a quote of 379 pounds, from Leo Walton's Electrical Wiring Company, was
accepted for the installation of lights at the WACA track. Australia's first complete meeting under lights
was held at the WACA on 24th January 1914 with the running of five races. The first event was won by Alfred Fox driving Battler 11.
At this time there was a proliferation of privately owned race-tracks across the suburbs of Perth and both the WA Trotting Association and WA Turf Club were at loggerheads with these “unregistered” clubs racing at venues such as Goodwood, Bicton and Canning Park.

On 23rd April 1914 James Brennan reported to the WATA Committee that the WA Cricket Association
was prepared to sell 17 acres of land on the northern side of their ground, which became Brennan Park, now Gloucester Park.

Adaptor
07-06-2015, 06:15 PM
While reading the microfiche files of the Bendigo Advertiser from 1924 ( inspired by John Peck to search out the 4 ..YES FOUR Bendigo Trotting Cups of 1924),
I noted that trotting and pacing races were held at the following tracks.

Many were on town racecourses, on the same program as the gallops, but Mystic Park and Corop held all trotting meetings.
Plenty of places to race, but the travel must have been challenging !

They raced at:
Myer's Flat, Corop, Mystic Park, Campbell's Creek, Bungaree, Cohuna, Raywood, Neilborough, Boort, Inglewood, Koondrook, Marong, Goornong, Korong Vale as well as the 4 meetings at the Epsom Racecourse held by the Bendigo Trotting Club.

Adaptor
07-10-2015, 03:48 PM
There were 6 Bendigo Cups at Epsom

Research in the files of country newspapers by Harness Racing Historian John Peck, and listed on
http://www.classicfamilies.net/cf/ClassicRaces.aspx?RaceID=4367 has revealed that there were six Bendigo Trotting Cups in the 1920s and early 1930's raced on the turf at the Bendigo Jockey Club's' Epsom racecourse.

The honour roll of Bendigo Cups, conducted on the turf at Epsom, before the building of Lord's Raceway reads:
1. 1924 Kinnie Bazil
2. 1924 Grand Voyage
3. 1924 Queen Pirate
4. 1924 Dummy (read the report in the Argus newspaper of the day: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/2086478
5. 1929 First Cast
6. 1932 Le Wilkes

For more, follow this link to the Bendigo Harness Racing Club website's History page: http://www.bhrc.com.au/history-of-bhrc.html

The result ot the First Bendigo Cup:
BENDIGO CUP – 100 pounds – One mile & three furlongs

TH Ford’s KINNIE BAZIL, 15yds (W Reidell) 1
General Ribbonwood, 85yds (M Harrison) 2
Landstar, 55yds (J Hawkins) 3
Other: inverell, 20yds (A Butcher)
Margins: 8yds X one yd time: 3m 23.4s (WR 2m 27s)

Messenger
08-15-2015, 08:42 PM
8 trainers to be congratulated for keeping the Showies going in Qld with 3 races of 6 starters today

http://www.harness.org.au/index.cfm?p=f&id=/

I bet Dan wishes he was going around

Amlin
08-26-2015, 04:10 PM
The old Gower Park track features late in this piece of footage that I received early this week. We think it may also be Don Dove's old track at Heatherton in the early part hosting a Gymkhana. The film moves quickly but would be interested to hear from anyone who can identify some of the people in it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImTq1yXqTwE

Adaptor
10-22-2015, 01:54 PM
Thanks to John Peck who emailed me a list of races that Robert and Alexander Hunter ( of Hunter House Bendigo, Burnewang Park at Hunter, Hunter Cup, and Northwood Park fame) won..

Recently upgraded to Legend Status, Globe Derby raced at Seymour and Tongala...and didn't win !
Altough coming off 240 behind is a bit of an ask.

SEYMOUR 04-04-1924
TROT – 50 pounds – Nine furlongs
PRINCIPAL JACK, 60yds (G Girling) 1
Globe Derby, 230yds (AG Hunter) 2
John Bazil, 20yds (W Raftery) 3
Other: Home Rule (70yds)
Margins: One lgth X 1 1/2lgths Time: 2m 42.2s

TONGALA TC 19-02-1925
FLYING – 50 pounds – One mile
BAZIL BELLS, scr (W Riedell) 1
Prince Bazil, 24yds (Hueston) 2
Globe Derby, 120yds (AG Hunter) 3
Others: Eri Queen (scr), Dodger Direct (24yds), Arab Style (24yds)
Margins: 10yds X 12yds Time: 2m 25 1/2s
TRIAL (1dt Div) – 35 pounds – Nine furlongs
LA RIBBONETTE, 55yds (A Simpson) 1
Direct Wood, 5yds (AG Hunter) 2
May Huon, 5yds (J Devlin) 3
Others: Queer Bells (scr), Delavans Proof (scr), Prince Nutwood (scr), Mary Siam (scr), Junee (5yds), Hazel (5yds), Bill Bazil (10yds)
Margins: 8yds X 30yds Time: 3min

528

Richard prior
10-22-2015, 02:29 PM
Some type of horse Globe Derby, 200 odd metres start is a fair handicap.

Adaptor
01-20-2016, 10:36 PM
Goornong, 30 km north of Bendigo once had a race-track

Legendary trotter Grand Voyage (38 wins) won there in 1924

GOORNONG 26-04-1924
TROT – 20 pounds – One & quarter miles
GRAND VOYAGE, 115yds (P Glasheen) 1
Miss Borneo, 35yds (H Toomer0 2
Harry Whips, 45yds (????) 3
Others: Honest Ruby (15yds)
Margins: Half lgth X 50yds

Adaptor
02-03-2017, 11:24 PM
Its been a while. but more ghost tracks emerge as Classic Families continues to gather information.
The raced at Morwell in Victoria's Latrobe Valley.

http://www.classicfamilies.net/CF/ClassicRaces.aspx?RaceID=7440

KTQ
02-09-2017, 03:06 PM
Bringing back Moonee Valley I hear.... $150m plans and to take 10 years

Messenger
02-09-2017, 06:10 PM
Are you teasing Katie?

KTQ
02-09-2017, 06:52 PM
Are you teasing Katie?

I just saw this linked on Twitter - written back in October. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/moonee-valley-racecourse-rebuild-plans-150m-project-to-take-10-years-to-complete/news-story/316cfeb450a0c440dfff7b2375ca5f2c

oh goddamit no. It's just for stupid gallops. SORRY.

ugh

BUT Garrick Knight did say and I quote, "Am I hearing this right? High-level discussions are taking place that will see harness racing return to Moonee Valley on Friday nights?"

so same same but missed it by a mile. Silly Katie.

arlington
03-13-2017, 10:47 AM
out of the Mallee dust

Congrats to the people of Birchip
Congrats to Luke H
Big congrats to Neil "Pecker" McCallum, a driving treble. Especially significant, Macca, a Mallee legend, would have been looking down.

Adaptor
03-13-2017, 11:43 AM
And former local Newsagent Gary Donaldson won the Mallee Bull Cup with the dermined Regal Ambition.
Great stuff !

Toohard
03-13-2017, 02:22 PM
Bout 1200 people there. Considering where the town is and its population, pretty amazing turnout. A great day had by all. No one wanted to go home after the last.

Many congratulations to all involved.

Adaptor
10-17-2017, 08:09 PM
Thanks to the amazing John Peck.
In response to information about Bob Crowe, studmaster of the Adelaide Hill Trotting Stud at Huntly in the early 1900's , he produced the racing records of Larry and Little Larry, both driven by Crowe.

Larry and Little Larry raced at many of our now Ghost Tracks, including this 3 mile race at
Sebastian.

SEBASTIAN 13-06-1883
TROT – 15 sovs – Three miles
R Moortheads BB, 40secs (owner) 2p1
Touchstone, 55secs (owner) 1p2
J Charltons Frederick the Great, 55secs (owner) 3
Others: Kilwarlin, scr (T Jensen), Dick, 25secs (S Lazarus), Black Bess, 25secs (W Gunn), Hector, 65secs (Starr) (sulky), Little Larry, scr (Crowe), Black Jack, 40secs (Rule).
NOTE: Touchstone won by lost race on protest
Margins: Won by neck

There is a half mile training track at Sebastian that is used for training and trialing.
http://mymapstreetview.com/earth/?t202id=3199&c1=GGS-MyMapST&t202kw=google%20earth&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1JbPBRCrARIsAOKj2PmOQk8w6DTdDdc6i8Ef koNCburY4hMbfCKa1rw_qnen8H7uVwe6sFkaAjcHEALw_wcB

Adaptor
10-17-2017, 09:30 PM
Brave move, seems to have attracted a lot of attention... But they are racing at Wayville
Hope the drivers can count. " And they come into the straight with 4 laps to go..."

http://www.harness.org.au/news-article.cfm?news_id=33881

Amlin
04-07-2018, 01:54 PM
https://www.cootamundraherald.com.au/story/5325614/trots-called-off-cootamundra-harness-racing-club-folds-and-transfers-races/?cs=584

Cootamundra joins the ghost tracks sadly. Kalgoorlie has also had its dates removed next season

KTQ
04-07-2018, 02:54 PM
:(

Adaptor
04-09-2018, 10:48 AM
https://www.cootamundraherald.com.au/story/5325614/trots-called-off-cootamundra-harness-racing-club-folds-and-transfers-races/?cs=584

Cootamundra joins the ghost tracks sadly. Kalgoorlie has also had its dates removed next season

A friend recounted driving around the remains of the old Port Albert Racecourse, in south Gippsland when on a golfing trip recently.

Lo and behold, Youtube and Kyle Galley show us that they raced trotters there.

Here's a trot from 2002.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTTguoCveDM

Amlin
04-09-2018, 08:37 PM
A friend recounted driving around the remains of the old Port Albert Racecourse, in south Gippsland when on a golfing trip recently.

Lo and behold, Youtube and Kyle Galley show us that they raced trotters there.

Here's a trot from 1992.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTTguoCveDM

Yep, that clip is from 2002, the Tarra Festival each Easter Saturday attracted students and horses from the Gippsland Harness Training Centre and other horsemen for "workouts".

The course was a sand one of 1400 metres and had a rich racing history particularly with other breeds of horses. I called the Mixed Sports Day a couple of times in my early days in late 90s. No trots then though but bookies betting on locals, Melb and interstate, woodchop, rides, food and drink etc. A mini Oakbank in many ways but sadly killed off by insurance and lack of workers.

Showgrounds
04-09-2018, 11:57 PM
Port Albert's track is still there, a few gallopers still use it. We used to work horses there when we lived nearby but we found the local roads better for conditioning them and sending them away for race preparations.

Of course, Port Albert Racecourse had other things going against it. The good - the mosquitoes thinned out during the afternoon. The bad - it was the bloody sandflies that drove them away!!!

Adaptor
06-28-2018, 02:17 PM
They raced at Runnymede (south-east of Elmore) as early as 1871.
The patrons and horses were delivered to Elmore by train from Bendigo, then made their way to Runnymede.

The backmarker in the trot, Fan was off 600 yards !!

Messenger
06-28-2018, 06:50 PM
A 600yd handicap - I hope the track was bigger than 600yds Noel or else he would be giving the outmarker a lap!

Adaptor
02-26-2019, 09:45 PM
Ghost tracks has been quiet for some time, but thanks to John Peck listing the driving wins for Harry Toomer, who started his career at Rochester, and then drove many winners at central Victorian tracks and Richmond we can add Neilborough.
It's North of Bendigo on the edge of the Whipstick forest on the way to Raywood.

NEILBOROUGH 15-01-1927
TROT – 12 pounds – About Nine furlongs
A LA MODE, 120yds (H Toomer) 1
Millie Direct, scr (D Hughes) 2
Only 2 starters
Margin: Won by 50yds Time: NTT

A La Mode was no slouch:
1921 Vic Bendigo JC Open BenR S
1922 Vic Ballarat TC Open MineR S
1922 Vic Ballarat TC Open MineR S
1922 Vic Kyneton RC Open (Autumn) Kyn S
1922 Vic Richmond Flying (Dec) Richm F
1923 Vic Richmond Handicap (Jan) Richm F
1923 Vic Richmond Handicap (Mar) Richm F
1923 Vic Rochester St Pats TC Open RchR S
1925 Vic Fleet Cup Richm F
1925-Vic Richmond Flying (Jun) Richm F
1926 Vic Richmond Flying (Nov) Richm F
1926-Vic Inglewood Cup Ing S
1927 Vic Elmore TC Open ElmR S
1927-Richmond Flying (May) Richm F
1927-Vic Richmond Flying (Jun)

Adaptor
02-27-2019, 03:06 PM
Classicfamilies.net.au has seen some major uppdates lately. Well done to all involved.

As a result some previously unlisted results are to be found .

Macorna, south of Kerang, where there was once a racecourse

1930 Vic Macorna TC Open Last Roy
1929 Vic Macorna TC Open No Style
1928 Vic Macorna TC Open Gwen Ribbon
1928 Vic Macorna TC Open No Style (Burnt to death in motor trailer accident)
1927 Vic Macorna TC Open Cissie Voyage (ancestress of Showgrounds winners Mount Zanzibar, Cheyenne, Prince Mimosa)

Adaptor
02-27-2019, 03:38 PM
1923 Vic Cobden TC Cup Irene Wilkes
1922 Vic Cobden TC Cup Gay Girl
1921 Vic Cobden TC Cup County Antrim
1920 Vic Cobden TC Cup Rex
1919 Vic Cobden TC Cup St Abbey
1918 Vic Cobden TC Cup County Antrim
1917 Vic Cobden TC Cup Percy
1916 Vic Cobden TC Cup Euchre

County Antrim ( 1907 Baron Rothschild from Corowa by Vancleve ) was a prolific winner: with an amazing story....

County Antrim is an eight-year-old
horse, and in the past three months
he has won three two miles' handicaps
and a ladies' bracelet, and has finished
third twice at Richmond.

According to owner Mr. McCrow, County Antrim is
used by him in the shearing season
in New South Wales, and draws the
owner and baggage in a buggy from
camp to camp. Mr. McCrow estimates
that his horse has travelled nearly
1000 miles in the shearing season,
which lasts four months, and fre-
quently has covered 80 miles a day.

Among County Antrims wins were:
1913 Vic MTC Trotters Hcp (Jul) Richm F
1915 Vic Leura Cup Cpdn F
1916-1 Vic Richmond Handicap (Jun) Richm F
1916-1 Vic Richmond Handicap (Jul) Richm F
1916-2 Vic Richmond Handicap (Apr) Richm F
1916-3 Vic Richmond Handicap (Jul) Richm F
1918 Vic Cobden TC Cup Cobd S
1919 Vic Ballarat TC Open
1919 Vic Terang Cup
1921 Vic Ararat TC Presidents Hcp
1921 Vic Cobden TC Cup Cobd S
1921 Vic Richmond Handicap (Oct) Richm F
1921-1 Vic Richmond Handicap (Aug) Richm F
1921-2 Vic Richmond Handicap (Aug) Richm F
1922 Vic Leura Cup Cpdn F
1922 Vic Bendigo JC Open BenR S
1922 Vic Ararat TC Presidents Hcp Ar-AP S
1922 Vic Linton St Pats TC Open Lint S
1922 Vic Ballarat TC Open MineR S
1923-2 Vic Richmond Handicap (Sep)

Messenger
02-27-2019, 08:33 PM
Really interesting Noel
Wouldn't a ghost tracks road trip be a great adventure.
I could see Danno tackling it once he has ticked off Broken Hill

Adaptor
02-27-2019, 09:39 PM
Really interesting Noel
Wouldn't a ghost tracks road trip be a great adventure.
I could see Danno tackling it once he has ticked off Broken Hill

Great idea Kev, Love the idea of navigating by trotting tracks.

I once took a lady to visit Alexandra Park in Auckland, with the expectation by her that it was going to be the botanical gardens. ( She now knows better!)

Tomorrow, after a bit more research: Linton, and believe it or not, they trotted at Hanging Rock.

arlington
02-28-2019, 12:03 AM
Great idea Kev, Love the idea of navigating by trotting tracks.

I once took a lady to visit Alexandra Park in Auckland, with the expectation by her that it was going to be the botanical gardens. ( She now knows better!)

Tomorrow, after a bit more research: Linton, and believe it or not, they trotted at Hanging Rock.


Having now met Noel, I just have to ask. Was it a Spring meeting, did you actually get to the races? http://www.harnessracingforum.com/images/icons/icon11.png http://www.harnessracingforum.com/images/icons/icon11.png :D

Adaptor
02-28-2019, 04:16 AM
Having now met Noel, I just have to ask. Was it a Spring meeting, did you actually get to the races? http://www.harnessracingforum.com/images/icons/icon11.png http://www.harnessracingforum.com/images/icons/icon11.png :D

Hi Wayne
We were on a cruise, stopped over 2 nights and did see the Trots.

A few years later, when living in Wellington, there was no mistaking gritty Hutt Park for the Botanical Gardens. I went on my own!!

Adaptor
02-28-2019, 02:02 PM
Great idea Kev, Love the idea of navigating by trotting tracks.

I once took a lady to visit Alexandra Park in Auckland, with the expectation by her that it was going to be the botanical gardens. ( She now knows better!)

Tomorrow, after a bit more research: Linton, and believe it or not, they trotted at Hanging Rock.

There was a St Pats Race Club at Linton

/www.google.com.au/maps/place/Linton+VIC+3360/@-37.6834316,143.5674257,309m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x6ad3d9d42f04d775:0x40579 a430a0baf0!8m2!3d-37.683333!4d143.566667?hl=en

1928 Race Discontinued
1927 Harold Wee 191-
1926 Comely Bells 1918
1925 Peverley Mauritius1916
1924 Princess Bells 1915
1924 Lue Ribbons 1915
1923 Maiden Bells 1913
1922 County Antrim 1907
1921 Welcome Abbey 1911

County Antrim raced and won here ...see his history above under Cobden. He covered more miles than Burke and Wills !

Messenger
01-09-2020, 02:34 PM
Flemington’s forgotten neighbour: Ascot Racecourse shown in an aerial photo from the WW11 era.

You can see Flemington, the Showgrounds and Ascot...what was the training track in the top left corner?

http://wongm.com/2011/10/ascot-racecourse-ascot-vale-melbourne/

Noel went for a walk in the area recently and sent me these pics of where Ascot track once was

Nothing special there - let's do a back to the future and rebuild :D

Showgrounds
01-10-2020, 09:41 PM
Noel went for a walk in the area recently and sent me these pics of where Ascot track once was

Nothing special there - let's do a back to the future and rebuild :D

As a very green teenager we used to jog our horses, many times leading another, down Kent Street (an OD route) and across Ascot Vale Rd into Dunlop Avenue and across Epsom Rd into the Showgrounds for work. Apart from cringing fro the thought of trying to emulate those heroics in today's traffic I remember wondering why so many "tradies utes" were parked outside the Dunlop Ave housing commission flats.

Those flats were usually occupied by single mums. I never knew so many single mums worked as plumbers, chippies and sparkies in the early to mid seventies. On the way back from the track I noticed they had all gone to work and assumed the kids must get themselves to work! I was set right as to what the habitation rites were in those flats when I was older, but still naive, by mates I met for a few beers once a week. Most of them were plumbers, chippies and sparkies ��!

kung fu man
01-15-2020, 05:11 PM
We used to trial at Blacktown showground on a Sunday I think the groung the track circled is still there, Trialed at Hawkesbury in the centre of the gallops track, it was right handed and then swapped to left and had a couple of drives at Richmond on the grass dirt etc it was both in places they changed it from right to left as well and the home straight was very short.

Adaptor
01-30-2020, 10:42 PM
Dean Hoffman, former editor of the USTA's Hoof Beats has written about five historic sites in the US.

The first two, Roosevelt Raceway on Long Island, and Good Time Park at Goshen, are both in New York.

Great reading: https://harnessracingupdate.com/2020/01/24/remembering-roosevelt-raceway-and-good-time-park/

Good Time Park,, Goshen NY,

Adaptor
02-12-2020, 08:40 AM
While looking into the many horses bred and raced by Jack McKay (Minyip Jack) , with Jack McKay ( JP McKay) training them at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds.
......I wondered whether they might have started their careers locally...at the Minyip Showgrouds..some of them did as they raced from 1919 to 1948.

The winners of the annual Minyip St Pats Trotting Club Open:

1941 Race Discontinued
1940 Don Ariel
1939 Admiral Derby
1938 Shire Wealth
1937 Shire Wealth
1936 Sams Wonder
1935 Last Principal
1934 Boy Wonga
1933 Miss Wonga
1932 Too Honest
1931 Boy Wonga
1930 Boy Wonga
1929 Plain Grattan
1928 Rowall Voyage
1927 Direct Girl
1926 Flying Ribbon
1925 Flying Ribbon
1924 Gratified
1923 Bettyshire
1922 Norvals Pride
1921 Blue Isles
1920 Madge Huon
1919 Desert Rose
1918 Dublin Post
1917 Valaze
1916 Experiment
1915 Blythe Maid

Adaptor
02-12-2020, 08:41 PM
Glenorchy is a tiny dot on the Wimmera Highway, just out of Stawell. (Kev territory).
They trotted there.
Was this the track, or was it next door on what is now the golf course?

Queen's Voyage, the 1924 winner of The Glen Trot, was no slouch..winning in Victoria and then Kalgoorlie.
1924 Vic The Glen Trot, Glenorchy
1925 Vic Horsham/Wimmera Cup
1925 Vic Horsham TC Handicap
1926 Vic Horsham TC Flying
1928 WA Goldfields Trotting Cup
1928 WA Goldfields Easter Cup

The Main race at Glenorchy was The Glen Trot (Thanks to www.Classicfamilies.net)

1940 Vic The Glen Trot Dingley Dell
1938 Vic The Glen Trot Derwent Derby
1937 Vic The Glen Trot Derwent Derby
1936 Vic The Glen Trot West Wonga
1931 Vic The Glen Trot Truvale
1930 Vic The Glen Trot Abbey May
1929 Vic The Glen Trot Duke Alto
1928 Vic The Glen Trot Blacksmith
1927 Vic The Glen Trot Kelvinshire
1926 Vic The Glen Trot Abbey May
1925 Vic The Glen Trot Jean Galindo
1924 Vic The Glen Trot Queens Voyage
1923 Vic The Glen Trot Siams Gift
1922 Vic The Glen Trot Blonde Beauty
1921 Vic The Glen Trot Yellow Jack
1919 Vic The Glen Trot Almona

Messenger
10-27-2020, 05:31 PM
I note in the 70's Year Books that Maryborough QLD used to have more than 52 meetings a year. Every Saturday they would run 3 races with some of the R1 horses competing in R3 - in fact it was not uncommon for a horse to win both
I wondered what became of the track (not listed on HRA's Tracks page), although being the Showgrounds it is probably still there - so what happened to the racing?
I found a story in The Gympie Times that said racing was returning in Jan 2010 after more than 20yrs absence but I am guessing it must have been short lived

https://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/maryborough-track-awakens/425583/

aussiebreno
10-27-2020, 05:57 PM
I note in the 70's Year Books that Maryborough QLD used to have more than 52 meetings a year. Every Saturday they would run 3 races with some of the R1 horses competing in R3 - in fact it was not uncommon for a horse to win both
I wondered what became of the track (not listed on HRA's Tracks page), although being the Showgrounds it is probably still there - so what happened to the racing?
I found a story in The Gympie Times that said racing was returning in Jan 2010 after more than 20yrs absence but I am guessing it must have been short lived

https://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/maryborough-track-awakens/425583/
http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=OX100110
That meeting was abandoned

Further article here

https://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/for-years-the-campaign-to-bring-harness-racing-bac/2148898/

Messenger
10-27-2020, 06:45 PM
Thanks for those Breno. Very informative
I am guessing the cost of fencing (to protect the viewing public?) has been deemed too expensive for the meetings promised