The Burnie Cup

Well folks, off to the Burnie Cup today. A feature event on the Tasmanian pacing circuit and held in twilight at the Wivenhoe showgrounds. This is country racing at its best.

• you can park your car around the track and honk at the horses as they go around
• 600m track
• Nearly all standing starts on the program except for the Cup
• No $200,000 kiwi horses here with owners trying pinch cheap money
• No interstate raiders ( mainlanders as they are called here)
• No security and no suits
• Carnival atmosphere including old style hotdogs and various spruikers
• The Bass strait surf pounding the shoreline just metres away
• $5 to get in
• Warm jacket required for the westerly winds even though it is summer

I believe the great Halwes raced here once before he went on to dominate harness racing in the early 60's
There is no chance of this race being included on the "Grand circuit" much to my dismay


I will keep you posted

Sounds great. I should be going to the Hamilton Cup but having just been to Hamilton on Friday, I have not decided yet

The cup has been run and won by Fortino, I correct myself, it was a standing start event. A couple of old style bagmen in attendance, food was good and the weather was admirable. A good solid fun loving crowd, pity I had to drive home otherwise I would have kicked on a bit.